The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"Willa, why the heck did you pinch me?" Maddox looked as innocent as a puppy caught chewing on a shoe.

Willa's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red as she glared at him. Her attempt at looking formidable, however, was undermined by an unmistakable hint of bashfulness. "Did you already forget the pep talk I gave you?" Maddox swallowed hard, nodding slightly.

That was all Willa needed to see to know they were in trouble.

Her own choice in a partner, what more could she do?

The two stood under the spotlight, basking in the warmth of everyone's well-wishes.

As the ceremony was drawing to its highlight, Jasper handed Willa a list, "Willa, this is what I gave your sister, Sasha, when she got engaged. I've prepared something similar for you. Let me know if there's anything missing." Being a father and a father-in-law, how could Jasper bear to short-change Willa?

Tears welled up in Willa's eyes as she took the list. Shaking her head, she managed, "Dad, I don't care about those things. I just want to stay by your side, always."

Jasper nodded, visibly moved, gripping Willa's hand, "You're my daughter. I'll treat you no differently. You won't miss out on anything."

Willa pressed her lips together, nodding in agreement.

Maddox, standing beside her, was so touched he was nearly in tears.

Jasper looked at him with mock disdain, "It's not your list, son. What are you crying for?"

Maddox took a deep breath, "Dad, I regret not being born your daughter. I haven't even seen half of these things."

Jasper was momentarily speechless. If it weren't for the solemnity of the occasion, he might have questioned Maddox's common sense.

Sensing Jasper's growing irritation, Maddox hastily wiped away his tear, trying to lighten the mood, "Dad, I was just trying to add a bit of humor... Please, continue."

Jasper couldn't help but roll his eyes.

attentive and respectful, then back at Maddox, who was all smiles and no sense, Jasper sighed. He knew he had to treat Willa even better from now on, "Maddox, from today onwards, Willa is in your care. If I see her shed a single tear, you'll find

believe me, I love Willa even more than I

sent the room into an

"Maddox, making promises isn't the same as stabbing our

the bone, but don't play favorites, or

and Fredrick didn't say a word, but

a family affair, and Maddox's ventures were small fry

ever be upset, they wouldn't wait for Jasper to act; they'd

Willa could do

Maddox? Not

turned, seeking assurance, "Dad, you wouldn't miss

a sidelong glance, "Useless. I was managing the entire Perez empire at your age. Only because Willa doesn't

to Willa, seeking comfort, "Honey, I'll work hard to earn

knew Maddox's heart wasn't in business. Touching his face, she assured him, "Sweetie, I'll take

helm of the Perez's vast network, supporting Maddox

smiles faltered, seeing

Maddox so different from Willa's? To her, Maddox's quirks

ceremony, the spotlight

up, he kissed her passionately, eliciting cheers from the crowd. Willa's face

couldn't help but indulge in a little too much

the last time she drank

for him to intervene. Anything

nearly spilled his wine, glaring at Maddox for even

the end, Luke stepped up, suggesting, "Vivienne, if you're feeling unwell, you can rest upstairs. Aunt Maria has prepared a room for you." Fredrick chimed in, "Yeah, Vivienne,

gave him

insisting, "Uncle Luke, Uncle Fredrick,

remembered her