The Million-Dollar Heart

Night fell over the Brooks household.

Kala and Darren ambled into their home, exhausted from an evening event, too tired to even think about removing their makeup.

Ronald was lounging in the living room; upon seeing them, he greeted them with a grin. "You guys are back. There's some goodies in the kitchen." Kala stretched languidly, about to respond, when a knock came at the door. "Who could that be at this hour?"

The door swung open to reveal a familiar figure, and Kala paused, blinking in disbelief.

Rubbing her eyes and looking again, she exclaimed, "Vivienne?"

She was utterly baffled!

Ever since the Brooks family had been rocked by the scandal involving Scott and Judith, Vivienne had become a stranger to their home.

Although Kala and Vivienne occasionally crossed paths, those instances were few and far between.

Vivienne was always so busy, hardly ever seen.

Kala recalled that the last time they had met was six months ago, a brief encounter en route to the office, nothing more than a hurried greeting before going separate ways. But now, an uneasy premonition nagged at her - what could Vivienne's unexpected visit signify?

Since their grandmother's passing, Vivienne had moved out of the Brooks residence, and her last visit had been to confront Scott.

Without any apparent reason, Vivienne's sudden arrival couldn't help but stir fears of impending bad news.

Please, no more shocks - her fragile heart couldn't take it!

Ronald, equally surprised by the late visit, managed to say, "Vivienne, what brings you here all of a sudden? Is there something wrong?"

looked up at him, a slight smile gracing her lips.

to usher her inside, chuckling. "We're delighted to have you;

onto the couch, turning to Kala. "How have you

face, which didn't seem to portend trouble, Kala felt a weight lift

award for Best Actress, and in a few days, I'm off to shoot a

"Sounds fantastic!

for you? I

her, swearing she would marry him. But recently, she discovered that the man was none other

no more than a shadow. Until she had learned it was Percival, she didn't even know what he looked like. Had he been single, she would have pursued him without hesitation. But now, she graciously stepped aside, wishing Percival and Vivienne nothing but

chatted casually until Vivienne turned to Ronald, her tone shifting. "I came to tell you

surprise. "What

been out of the loop with

him myself. I was worried when I heard the sanatorium was torched!" Before Vivienne could reply, Ronald added, "The kid

faltered as his fingers twitched on the

over his

why

upturn of her lips, her voice cool and steady, Vivienne said, "I'm curious to see the expression of a man

stiffened. "What do you mean by

heart skipped a beat. "Vivienne, are you

was

could understand Ronald not showing much grief- after all, their blood ties were somewhat distant. But Carl was different; he was Ronald's biological brother. How could he do such

to believe it, Kala looked at Vivienne with hopeful eyes,