The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the study, Diana had already prepared a cup of coffee for Jasper, waiting in the silent room for his arrival.

As soon as Jasper stepped in, he noticed the red rims around Diana’s eyes, a clear sign of her guilt about the day’s earlier events.

Jasper had always been stern with the boys in the household, quick to wield his walking stick when they stepped out of line. But with the girls, it was a different story; he rarely had a harsh word to say.

It was not just out of a fondness for Sasha, who had gone missing long ago. He simply believed that girls were to be cherished.

Even when Natalia and Yasmine, the mischievous ones, had nearly shaved off their eyebrows with Maddox’s razor, he had only chuckled and playfully tapped them on the head.

He had never laid a finger in anger on Diana, too.

Today, however, Jasper was truly upset.

He had raised Diana; he knew her every mood and thought. How could he not see what was on her mind?

Diana didn’t take kindly to Vivienne and was not particularly fond of Natalia and Yasmine either. He was well aware of that.

“Dad,” Diana said, her voice breaking as tears spilled over.

Normally, Jasper would have handed her a tissue or teased gently, “What’s got my little girl crying this time?”

But not today. He sat down heavily in his chair, his usual warmth replaced by a brooding silence.

After a while, Diana stopped crying and hung her head in silence.

Jasper let out a deep sigh, his words laden with disappointment, “Diana, you really crossed the line today.”

had bought a fake. I was deceived, too. I’m truly sorry,”

are plenty of treasures in our family that could outshine the Rainbow Opal. What angers me is how you accused Vivienne in front of

Diana. “Dad, how

even know Vivienne. How could he harbor such animosity

had saved Yorick

voice was heavy with disappointment. “Diana, how would Dracon know about Vivienne being the Specter Healer if you hadn’t told

with Jasper. They had been inseparable in their youth and remained close in their later

was, would certainly have known Vivienne’s true identity. Nothing that happened within the Linklater family

Healer, and it was indeed deliberate. He did not even know Vivienne, let alone have a reason

realized what he had done, she knew she was in trouble, but it was too late to

tone and sighed deeply. “Diana, I know you feel threatened by Vivienne’s arrival. You’re scared of losing your place in my heart or being driven out

there was no point in denying

continued, “My foolish child, if I didn’t see you as my own, would I have raised you all these years? Don’t think of yourself as just Sasha’s replacement. You are Diana, my third daughter, my precious

brimmed with tears as she looked at

sigh, his voice turning gentle. “You, Sasha, Willa – I’ve never shown favoritism. I may have been preoccupied with finding Sasha, but I’ve never neglected you. I’ve prepared your

with

waved her off, “Never mind, don’t do this again. I treat

“I

And don’t let this happen

the study, pausing at the

knew it. Vivienne had become the most important person in Jasper’s heaBooks Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All