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?"

up at him, a slight smile gracing her lips. "Am

to usher her inside, chuckling. "We're delighted to have you; of course, you're welcome! Please,

the couch, turning to Kala. "How have you

didn't seem to portend trouble, Kala felt a weight lift from her

been great, actually. Just snagged an award for Best Actress, and in a few days, I'm

nodded. "Sounds fantastic! Keep

How have things been for you? I saw on your Facebook

for a man who had helped her, swearing she would marry him. But

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

tone shifting. "I came to tell you that Carl's

surprise. "What

been out

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

faltered as his

flickered over his

her gaze, Ronald chuckled awkwardly. "Vivienne, why

and steady, Vivienne said, "I'm curious to see the expression of a man who's personally responsible for his own brother's critical

stiffened. "What do

"Vivienne, are you

Carl was Ronald's

their grandmother and uncle, she could understand Ronald not showing much grief- after all, their blood ties were somewhat distant. But Carl was different; he was Ronald's

hopeful eyes, waiting for her to say it