The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Karen chuckled softly, squeezing Vivienne’s hand before pushing open the grand oak gate of the Perez Mansion.

As the door swung open, Karen’s gaze fell upon an elderly figure leaning on a cane, clad in a smart tweed suit reminiscent of a bygone era. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he stood there, looking out as if in disbelief.

With the door now ajar, he stumbled forward a couple of steps, his body trembling, pausing as if unsure whether to believe this was all real.

It had been over thirty years. His little treasure, who had barely reached his waistline back then, was now a mother herself.

Karen stepped forward, stopping a yard away from Jasper, feeling the gulf of years between them – not a chasm of estrangement, but one of deep regret.

Thankfully, all was not lost; she had returned.

With a thud, Karen knelt on the ground, bowing her head deeply before Jasper.

“Dad, Sasha’s come back.”

Jasper could no longer contain himself. He hurried forward, his cane discarded, hunching over as he helped his daughter to her feet.

Slowly, his wrinkled hands reached out, caressing Karen’s face gently as if afraid of inflicting any pain upon his cherished daughter.

Every contour of her face, every familiar line and curve, he touched as if reacquainting himself with a long-lost treasure.

“Sasha, my Sasha, oh, my Sasha…”

With a choked sob, Jasper pulled Karen into a tight embrace. “My precious girl.”

Meanwhile, Zelda had already sought refuge in Yuri’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably, and even the usually nonchalant Maddox was crouched on the ground, wiping away tears.

Vivienne stood at the threshold, unwilling to intrude on the heartfelt reunion.

Jasper and Karen held each other for what seemed like an eternity before they finally composed themselves.

Karen, ever the comforter, gently reminded Jasper, “Dad, tomorrow is the ninth of the month. Let’s go inside. And remember, no leaving the house tomorrow.”

it dawned on him that Vesper, who had once saved him,

you reveal yourself sooner? You’ve been through so much hardship. Do you have any idea how worried I was when I

had watched the ordeal unfold through “Zelda’s” robotic surrogate

raised a stone to Vivienne, Jasper had nearly rallied a posse to

through the screen, but a timely signal from

behind, tried to

Jasper let her

less of a worry! Always giving your grandfather

years. If I hadn’t given her this little

girl, no wonder your master always speaks ill of you!” Karen shot back, though her eyes were devoid of

“Sasha, how on earth did you end up with

chair

said I had a unique talent and wanted to take me on as an apprentice. I went along with it for fun and never officially took the pledge. Eventually, I joined Vanguard Agency

“No wonder you sent Vivienne to Emerald Mountain. You were leaving her in

He insisted I bring a bottle of whiskey as a token of apprenticeship.

being a lousy

bottle of whiskey! Come and stay with your uncle. Your mom isn’t

Maddox, replying, “Uncle Maddox, my

bitten his tongue. He quickly sidled up to Karen, the traces of tears still visible at the corners of his eyes, his voice tinged with

really with Willa? How is she? Is she eating well? Has she lost weight? Is she sleeping okay? Does she

she had been with Willa all this

didn’t realize how deep the connection

at Vivienne, who

– your

a chill run down his spine and turned to Vivienne, insisting. “It’s true

his eyes in disgust, pushing Maddox aside and moving closer to Karen. “Sasha, Maddox has been pining over Willa for

you scare Willa away? Is

nodded sagely. “That sounds about

defend himself. “No way! It

all, Jasper

if the entire Perez family harbored animosity towards Diana, Jasper was her steadfast protector, ensuring

adopted would find Jasper on their doorstep, ready to