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, was actually

didn’t you reveal yourself sooner? You’ve been through so much hardship. Do you have any idea how worried I was when I

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

Vivienne, Jasper had nearly rallied a posse to storm over, but Maddox and

him through the screen, but a timely signal from Percival had assured him of their safety

behind, tried to

how could Jasper let her off the

less of a worry! Always giving your grandfather gray

so many years. If I hadn’t given her

your master always speaks ill of you!” Karen shot back, though her

remembered. “Sasha, how on

helped Jasper to a chair

school. He said I had a unique talent and wanted to take me on as an apprentice. I went along

wonder you sent Vivienne to Emerald Mountain. You were leaving her

“Not quite. He insisted I bring a bottle of whiskey as a token of apprenticeship. I was too stingy, so I promised him my

finally caught on. No wonder Finnian always joked about her being a

not even worth a bottle of whiskey!

Maddox, replying, “Uncle Maddox, my mom has

to Karen, the traces of

she? Is she eating well? Has she lost weight? Is

she had been with Willa all

didn’t realize how deep the connection

who

you suspect – your brother

spine and turned to Vivienne, insisting. “It’s true

to Karen. “Sasha, Maddox has been

her tongue. “Maddox, did you scare

sagely. “That

to defend himself. “No way! It

himself mid-sentence, realizing the family code of silence regarding Diana. After all, Jasper had treasured her like his

Perez family harbored animosity towards Diana, Jasper was her steadfast

being adopted would find Jasper on their doorstep,