The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Thadn't etched its usual marks on Daphne's face; she still carried herself with an unwavering grace, her eyes sparkling with the svibrancy.

Only her once neatly tied ponytail had given way to shoulder-length waves.

She glanced down slightly, "Hello, I'm Daphne. And you are?" Vivienne met her gaze, though it felt as if Daphne's eyes were looking through her, searching for someone else, "I've heard from little birdies, Vivienne, that you carry the spirit of the captain. How is she?" Vivienne bit her lip before responding, "My mom's doing well, but she's not in Rivenwood at the moment. She and my dad are on a second honeymoon abroad." "She'd be thrilled to know you're back." At this, Daphne paused, "And your father is?" Vivienne didn't hesitate, "Arthur." Hearing the name, a flicker of surprise crossed Daphne's face, and she shook her head in disbelief, "I never would've guessed. The captain's heart belonged to him. No wonder she kept his na secret all these years... because of this..." Vivienne felt a strange twinge inside her but quickly shook it off.

The person before her couldn't possibly be her.

Others might, but not Daphne.

Realizing her own train of thoughts, Daphne suddenly clapped her hands together, "Look at me, getting all caught up in memories. Please, have a seat." She moved to pour swater, only to find the kettle empty. Turning to them, she said, "You two chat, I'll go fill it up." Anna nodded. Seeing Daphne with the kettle, she cautioned, "Mom, be careful. Don't burn yourself." Daphne smiled reassuringly, asking her to keep Vivienne company while she was gone.

Left in the room, Vivienne and Anna were alone.

Vivienne glanced at Anna, motioning her to extend her arm, "Letsee that injury." Anna hesitated but obliged under Vivienne's firm gaze.

Vivienne gently lifted her fingers from Anna's arm after a moment, understanding the situation. She pulled out a bottle, handing Anna a Miracle Cure pill.

Anna knew of the pill's extraordinary healing properties, but was too embarrassed to accept, "Vivienne, it'll heal in a few days. Don't waste it on me..." "I need you in top shape these coming days. You wouldn't want to be a burden to the team." Vivienne's reason left Anna with no room to argue.

She could bear her own pain, but she would never drag her team down.

Seeing Anna swallow the pill, Vivienne finally asked, "Why keep it a secret from us?" Anna froze, thinking Vivienne was upset about her leaving the team without notice. She straightened up, "I'm sorry, Vivienne. It was against the rules. I'll accept any punishment from the team." Vivienne patted her, signaling she didn't mean it that way.

She just wanted to know about the injury.

Before Vivienne, Anna never kept secrets. Her eyes dropped slightly, "I had no choice but to use this strategy... My mom refused to acknowledge me." Vivienne raised an eyebrow, having guessed the reason but was still taken aback by Anna's determination, not unlike her own. Anna felt slightly embarrassed under Vivienne's gaze, "Honestly, I couldn't believe my mom cback. I didn't tell anyone and just followed her quietly." Vivienne understood her feelings. She remembered the disbelief and then the overwhelming joy of finding her own mother. Yet, struths demanded a rational approach despite disbelief.

"When did you first notice Daphne?" Anna's reaction was immediate, her pupils dilating.

Vivienne reassured her, "Don't worry. I just want to ensure no overlaps in our stories. No one will question Daphne's identity." Anna caught on.

Vivienne was worried someone might be impersonating Daphne, fooling her. But how could she mistake her own mother? Vivienne respected her feelings, "If you don't want to talk, it's okay." Anna shook her head, thinking, "It was about a week ago." "A week ago?" Vivienne frowned.

Anna nodded, "Clearly. It was last Friday afternoon. I noticed someone trailingas I left the lab. I lost them quickly, thinking it was a hitman. But then, I saw her again the next day." "That's when you realized she was Daphne." Anna bit her lip, "I wasn't sure at first, but she resembled my memories too closely. So, I started investigating on my own." "Why didn't Daphne acknowledge you then?" Vivienne probed further.

Anna's expression darkened, "Mom didn't know about Noah's passing. She feared endangeringby appearing. She's been avoiding me, bearing the pain." Anna's heart ached recalling the past, "She faked her death with an overdose of a potion, which damage her brain nerves. She forgot who she was for a long tuntil recently, when she started remembering bits of her past." Content belongs to en.kikistoriesVivienne found no reason to doubt. The side effects of such a potion were well known. Without timely antidote, a life-saving potion could turn deadly.

Moreover, there was a significant detail.

The official report on Project Destruction listed Deputy Captain Daphne's cause of death as mysterious.

Vivienne chose not to delve deeper.

Just then, Daphne returned with the kettle, now also carrying fresh fruit.

"Mom, you went out?" Anna exclaimed.

Daphne placed everything down smoothly, pouring two glasses of water, "There's nothing in this hospital room. I brought sfruit for you both." Her voice was as gentle as ever.

Vivienne thanked her, taking the glass.

Perhaps the years had altered Daphne's image, or maybe the stories had painted a different picture altogether.

Daphne sliced an apple, skewered a piece with a toothpick, and handed it over. "Here, Vivienne, have sfruit. Why are you staring atlike that?" Hearing this, Vivienne's gaze softened, and she replied with a smile, "I've heard stories about you from my mom. It just seems like those tales don't quite match with the person in front ofnow.

Maybe I got it wrong." Content belongs to en.kikistoriesDaphne nodded in acknowledgment. "You're not wrong. I was indeed very different back in the day." "Back then, as a deputy team leader, I worked alongside your mom, tackling missions abroad. We were an unstoppable force, living life to its fullest. Those were the freest moments of my life. But tha Content belongs to en.kikistoriesswne Her voice trailed off, and a look of pain crossed her face as if she was reminded of a distressing memory.

Seeing this, Anna quickly comforted her, "Mom, it's okay. Those days are behind us now. Let's not dwell on them." Daphne looked visibly upset and needed to rest.

Vivienne didn't stay much longer. She told Anna to take good care of her mother and to call her if anything cup, then left. An hour had passed since Vivienne left the hospital.

Percival was waiting at the entrance.

Seeing that Vivienne was alright, he wrapped an arm around her and guided her to the car.

Leopold, sitting in the front, didn't dare make a sound, worried that any slip-up might provoke the formidable duo in the backseat.

After a moment of silence, Vivienne finally spoke up, "Mr. Wolf, Daphne is back." A flicker of surprise crossed Percival's eyes. Before he could respond, a shocked voice cfrom the front seat.

"Ah... Who?" "Vivienne, did I hear that right?" Leopold's ears perked up at the mention of the name, wondering if he had misheard.

Percival gave him a look that clearly said, "Your hearing is just fine."