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.”

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

yourself sooner? You’ve been through so much hardship. Do you

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

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

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

behind, tried to remain

let her

young lady, you’re no less of a

“Grandpa, blame my mom. She’s been ‘dead’ for so many years. If I hadn’t given her this little

speaks ill of you!” Karen shot back, though her eyes were

Finnian, Jasper suddenly remembered. “Sasha, how on earth did you end up with that old

to a chair and began to

met Finnian during school. He 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 and got

Mountain.

of apprenticeship. I was too stingy, so I promised him my future child

about her being a

bottle of

offense. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at Maddox, replying, “Uncle Maddox, my mom has been with Aunt Willa,

tongue. He quickly sidled up to Karen, the traces of tears still visible at the corners

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

aback. Though she had been with Willa all

didn’t realize how deep the connection

glanced at Vivienne, who silently nodded her

it’s as you suspect – your

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

pushing Maddox aside and moving closer to Karen. “Sasha, Maddox has

clicked her tongue. “Maddox, did you scare Willa away? Is that

sagely. “That

himself.

the family code of silence regarding Diana. After all, Jasper had treasured

animosity towards Diana, Jasper was her

Diana for being adopted would find Jasper on their doorstep,