The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

As Jasper's words settled, Maddox and his brothers simultaneously dug into their ears, listening intently. They were certain they hadn't heard correctly the first time and needed to pay closer attention. The next moment, they saw Arthur bow slightly in a gesture of respect and then say earnestly, "Yes, I am Vivienne's father, Karen's husband, but I never abandoned her. I was called back to active duty on an urgent mission. Before I left, I tried to find Karen but couldn't. With the pressing time and the weight of the mission, I had no choice but to leave without a word!"

Arthur continued, "When the war was over, and I came back to look for her, she was nowhere to be found. All these years, I never stopped searching for her. I didn't even know she had given birth to our daughter. It was only today, at the court hearing, when I saw Vivienne, that I guessed. Later, a DNA test confirmed by the doctors at Vivienne's lab proved beyond doubt that I am her biological father." Arthur bowed again, "Dad, I owe so much to Karen and Vivienne. I know that even the rest of my life may not be enough to make up for it, but I still want to try my best to do so. I want to start by giving Karen the wedding we never had..."

Before he could finish, Jasper spat vehemently, "Pah! You think you can marry my daughter after all this? Dream on! Even if she were the last person on earth, the Perez family would take care of her. Who do you think you are? Marry her? You wish!"

He was livid!

Just moments ago, he was questioning his own sanity for not recognizing Arthur.

Now, he was genuinely questioning his sanity!

This man, who had caused his daughter so much pain, had the audacity to show up at the Perez household?

Did he think Jasper was too old to defend his family?

As Jasper finished, Maddox and his brothers were equally incensed.

Maddox barked, "Get lost! After abandoning my sister for years, you dare to show up making excuses, thinking you can marry her? She's been our precious gem, and you think you have the right? You better leave before I break your legs!"

Yuri added, "Shameless, showing up at the Perez household like this? My sister raised her daughter all by herself, and now you want to waltz back into her life? What have you been doing all these years? Dreaming? Even if my sister wasn't in a coma, she wouldn't marry a loser like you!"

Luke scoffed, "War God? More like the Grim Reaper! You should've stayed gone. They've been fine without you! The Perez family will always be their rock. They don't need your so-called redemption." Zelda Lynette chimed in, "Exactly! Sasha doesn't need you. She's incredibly talented and successful on her own, not to mention Vivienne's achievements. They don't need anything from you. You think being the War God makes you entitled to their forgiveness? The Perez family doesn't see it that way!"

watched quietly as they all turned on Arthur, a faint smile playing on her lips, as if amused by their

and his brothers quickly denied any

"I

dumbfounded

wasn't what he had expected

resistance and knew he had to show true sincerity

you direct at me is justified. But please, give me a chance. Vivienne has been without a father for over twenty years. I don't want her to miss

looked over at

for Karen, but their

father, and having lost her mother at nine, she grew up alone, facing

she might have crumbled under the

could deny Arthur for Karen's sake, but not obstruct Vivienne's right

role in a

no!" Vivienne's gaze was icy as

felt a pang of pain meeting her cold

at him, "Did you hear that? She

1.n

come back

you should've stayed gone. Do you enjoy breaking up

to explain,

"You scoundrel, I