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.”

on him that Vesper,

been through so much hardship. Do you have any idea how worried

ordeal unfold through “Zelda’s” robotic surrogate via a live

raised a stone to Vivienne, Jasper had nearly rallied a posse to storm over, but Maddox and Yuri had managed to restrain

nearly sent him through the screen, but a timely signal from

behind, tried to remain

let

lady, you’re no less of a worry! Always giving your grandfather gray

She’s been ‘dead’ for so many years. If I hadn’t given her this

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

Jasper suddenly remembered. “Sasha, how on earth did you end up

Jasper to a chair and

take me on as an apprentice. I went along with it

Emerald Mountain. You were leaving her in your

a bottle of whiskey as a token of apprenticeship. I was too stingy, so I promised him

joked about her being a lousy deal – she was traded for a bottle of

laugh. “Niece, you’re not even worth a bottle of whiskey! Come and

didn’t take offense. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at Maddox, replying, “Uncle Maddox, my mom

if he had bitten his tongue. He quickly sidled up to Karen, the traces

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

been with Willa all this

connection between her brother and Willa

who silently nodded

as you suspect – your

felt a chill run down his spine and turned to Vivienne,

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

her tongue. “Maddox, did you scare Willa

nodded sagely. “That sounds

was quick to defend himself. “No way! It was

code of silence regarding Diana. After all, Jasper had treasured her like his own daughter and

family harbored animosity towards Diana, Jasper was

mock Diana for being adopted would find Jasper on