The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Cassidy swallowed hard, a gesture she'd made countless times while recounting her tale to others.

But no matter if it was neighbors or strangers online, everyone seemed to urge her to let it go, to not dwell on it. Now, finally, someone was willing to believe her.

Her grip on the blanket tightened, her chapped lips barely moving without causing her pain.

But Cassidy didn't care. Her dull, numb eyes stared unblinkingly at Vivienne, tinged with an indescribable hysteria, "My depression isn't because of Julian-it's because of my mom." Her voice dropped as she began to unravel her story.

Cassidy's family was never wealthy, but they were comfortably middle-class. Initially, when it was just Cassidy, Zinnia appeared relatively normal. She wasn't exceptionally nurturing, but she fulfilled her maternal duties.

Everything changed when Cassidy was ten. Her father died in a car accident suddenly.

Around the stime, Zinnia discovered she was pregnant. The settlement from the accident was substantial, but not a cent went to Cassidy's grandparents. All the money was spent on the new baby and Zinnia's living expenses.

Without a job, Zinnia quickly burned through the settlement, struggling to provide for her newborn. Eventually, she sent Cassidy to live with her grandparents in the countryside to save money.

Cassidy's voice trembled as she recounted, "Back then, my grandparents didn't even know my father had passed away. I stayed with them until my first year of high school. After they passed away, I managed to reconnect with my mom." By then, Zinnia had remarried a wealthy old man with no children of his own, coming into a significant inheritance.

Initially, Zinnia didn't want Cassidy back. But something or someone changed her mind. She drove to pick Cassidy up, enrolling her in an elite private school that was beyond the reach of ordinary people! At first, Cassidy thought maybe Zinnia did care about her. But that illusion shattered within a day. Zinnia treated her like a free maid.

Cassidy was left to clean their massive house alone, cook, and wash clothes for her and her young half-brother to save money. Any mistake resulted in beatings and scoldings.

Julian, upon discovering this, confronted Zinnia multiple times only to be rebuffed and insulted.

Worse, after Julian left, Zinnia and her son would gang up on Cassidy, physically and verbally abusing her.

Vivienne and Percival listened in silence, Cassidy's eyes red but dry, her voice flat as if she were talking about someone else's life. Vivienne crossed her arms, her tone matter-of-fact, "Didn't you ever think of fighting back?" "Of course, I did. But every tI argued, she'd guilt-tripabout providing for my education. At first, I was grateful." Cassidy paused.

"But then, I realized it was all a lie!" Cassidy's voice spiked with anger, her untrimmed nails scratching the blanket. "She broughtback, paid for my schooling, just to selloff to old men to fund her and her son's lavish lifestyle! She didn't even wait forto finish college. Right before my graduation, she brought an old man home!" Just recalling that dinner, the lecherous gaze of that man in his seventies or eighties made Cassidy shiver with disgust.

Biting her lip fiercely, she continued, "I'm not trying to slander Julian! He's been the kindest to me, aside from my grandparents. But, but I had no choice!" Cassidy's voice was a near scream, "I just couldn't! If I didn't comply, Zinnia would've marriedoff to that old man! I couldn't accept that future; I had to agree with Zinnia!" Vivienne's response was blunt. "You've had it rough." It wasn't a question but a statement.

Whether it was sympathy or something else, her demeanor remained unfazed, as if she'd heard a trivial tale, her gaze steady and unchanging.

Percival shared the sdetached demeanor, leaving Cassidy stunned at their lack of reaction.

Even Thomas showed semotion, albeit minimally.

Cassidy found herself at a loss for words, her voice hoarse, her expression bewildered, "You... don't find Zinnia detestable?" Even strangers online, upon hearing her ambiguous plight, would curse Zinnia in solidarity.

Why then, were these two so unmoved? Percival remained silent, exuding an air of exhaustion as if a long movie had just ended, casually rubbing his eyes.

Vivienne spread her hands dismissively, "She's detestable, sure, but that doesn't justify your betrayal of Julian. Cassidy, I heard you were a good student; surely, you could've thought of another way out." Cassidy choked up. Facing Vivienne's piercing, clear gaze, she shamefully lowered her head.

Indeed, Cassidy could have sought help from the police or the school.

But she didn't, choosing instead the path that was most beneficial and least harmful to herself.

At its core, it was her own selfishness at play.

Vivienne didn't intend to expose her, nor did she wish to dwell on the matter, "I believe your story. Since you've been arranged here by Zinnia from Havenwood, I assyou're on a mission for her. All I need from you is a favor during the next court hearing." Before Cassidy could respond, Vivienne raised a hand to reassure, "Don't worry. We've got your back. We'll have someone keep a discreet eye on you these next few days. If you need anything at all, just reach out to them. Once we've got a new court date set, I'll cfind you with my team." At the hospital lobby.

Harrison, dressed to the nines, stood out amid the sea of grieving patients and their despairing relatives.

His striking features made him a beacon in the crowd, but upon spotting two familiar faces, he swiftly turned away.

He stared at the hospital's checkered floor, his pupils dilating with shock.

What were Vivienne and Percival doing here? "What are you spacing out for?" Victoria emerged from the restroom, catching Harrison in his moment of shock. After calling his ntwice with no response, she prodded his shoulder, "Wasn't it you who insisted we visit Sophie Abernasy? If you're having second thoughts, Fm heading back right now." The idea of visiting that woman's daughter irked her. If it weren't for Vivienne's plan, she wouldn't have agreed to cin the first place.