The Million-Dollar Heart

In the study, Diana had already prepared a cup of coffee for Jasper, waiting in the silent room for his arrival.

As soon as Jasper stepped in, he noticed the red rims around Diana's eyes, a clear sign of her guilt about the day's earlier events.

Jasper had always been stern with the boys in the household, quick to wield his walking stick when they stepped out of line. But with the girls, it was a different story; he rarely had a harsh word to say.

It was not just out of a fondness for Sasha, who had gone missing long ago. He simply believed that girls were to be cherished.

Even when Natalia and Yasmine, the mischievous ones, had nearly shaved off their eyebrows with Maddox's razor, he had only chuckled and playfully tapped them on the head.

He had never laid a finger in anger on Diana, too.

Today, however, Jasper was truly upset.

He had raised Diana; he knew her every mood and thought. How could he not see what was on her mind?

Diana didn't take kindly to Vivienne and was not particularly fond of Natalia and Yasmine either. He was well aware of that.

"Dad," Diana said, her voice breaking as tears spilled over.

Normally, Jasper would have handed her a tissue or teased gently, "What's got my little girl crying this time?"

But not today. He sat down heavily in his chair, his usual warmth replaced by a brooding silence.

After a while, Diana stopped crying and hung her head in silence.

out a deep sigh, his words laden with disappointment, "Diana, you really crossed the line

know Dracon had bought a fake. I was deceived, too. I'm truly sorry," Diana hurriedly

What angers me is how you accused Vivienne

such animosity

had saved Yorick at

that you told him all about Vivienne!" Jasper's voice was heavy with disappointment. "Diana, how would Dracon know about Vivienne being

had been inseparable in their youth and remained close

being who he was, would certainly have known Vivienne's true identity. Nothing that happened within the Linklater family escaped his notice, including Diana's slander about Vivienne to Dracon. Dracon had bluntly revealed Vivienne's identity as the Specter Healer, and it was

was in trouble, but it was too

feel threatened by Vivienne's arrival. You're scared of losing your place in my heart or being driven out by the Perez family." Diana remained silent, knowing there

raised you all these years? Don't think of yourself as just Sasha's replacement. You are Diana, my

brimmed with tears as

Willa - I've never shown favoritism. I may have been preoccupied with finding Sasha, but I've never neglected you. I've prepared your wedding gift; just tell me who

with

waved her off, "Never mind, don't do this again. I

nodded. "I understand,

it's late. Get some rest. And don't let

the study, pausing at the door, her