The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne's back stiffened, her usually delicate face now as dark as a thundercloud, pitch black and stormy.

Percival barely suppressed a smirk.

When had the so-called "War God" become such a fool?

Arthur: "Hey, kid, watch your mouth. I am your future father-in-law. Be careful, or I might not let her marry you!"

Percival: "Do you really think you hold that much sway in my lady's heart?"

Arthur: ...

Stabbed in the heart!

Jasper, on the other hand, didn't catch the tension between Vivienne and Percival. He was distracted by an almost maniacal voice growing louder outside, approaching rapidly.

"When did Arthur arrive? What's he doing here?" Jasper wondered aloud.

The Perez and the Linklater families were acquaintances, but barely interacted.

Their most significant connection was through Yorick, who had a slight acquaintance with a few of the Perez sons. Arthur, known far and wide for his military exploits as the "War God" of Veridia, was respected by the Perez family, though they rarely saw him, given his duties.

"Why has Arthur come to the Perez household now? And in such a hurry?" Jasper pondered.

As Jasper stood there, puzzled, Arthur approached, hands clasped in apology, "Dad! Sorry I'm late! I'll make it up to the family, I promise!"

Jasper, "?!"

Maddox, Yuri, and Luke Perez emerged, equally baffled. "What's going on?"

"Dad"?

A sleepwalking "War God" could

was the first to regain composure. "Uh, Arthur, did you forget to take your meds today... Ahem, I mean, what's gotten into you, calling me 'Dad'?" "While I'd love to have a 'War God' for a son, I'm not about to steal someone else's, especially not my daughter's mentor's son. That's completely off-limits!" Arthur, dead serious, offered, "Dad, a son-in-law is as good as a son. If you wish, I'll even change my last name to South! I'll be

The Perez brothers, "?!"

Vivienne remained expressionless.

the bridge

turned exceedingly

pause, Jasper finally managed, "This

cut him off, "If you're sure, we can

Jasper wouldn't dream

glanced at Jasper,

all I've done for the country, changing my name and transferring households is just a phone call away," Arthur, now

the joy of gaining a "War

isn't ideal for a wedding, but I can't wait any longer. I need to give her and our daughter their

offering ten billion dollars, ten houses, ten luxury cars, ten plots in Rivenwood suburb, a

the bride's dowry, we won't need one. Whatever

Damn!

the bar high. How

offered, but his finances were tied up in supporting the nation and

to

the Grimshaw family's

was reeling

even more shocking than Arthur adopting

Vivienne remained stoic.

at the Linklater household, Yorick was having a breakdown in

turned to Vivienne, "My daughter, I'm sorry for arriving late and for all the hardships you and