The Million-Dollar Heart

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."

him that Vesper, who had

was when I saw the explosion on that cliff?" Jasper and his family had watched the

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

sent him through the screen, but a timely signal from Percival had assured him of their safety and calmed his nerves. Vivienne,

Jasper let

you're no less of a worry! Always giving your

years. If I hadn't given her this little

Karen shot back, though her eyes were devoid of any real

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

a chair and began to recount

apprentice. I went

Vivienne to Emerald Mountain. You were leaving her in

as a token of apprenticeship. I was too stingy, so I promised him my future child instead.

on. No wonder Finnian always joked about her being a lousy deal - she was traded

you're not even worth a bottle of whiskey!

didn't take offense. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at Maddox, replying, "Uncle Maddox, my mom has been with Aunt

up to Karen, the traces of tears still visible at the corners of his eyes, his voice tinged with concern. "Sasha, were you really with Willa?

Karen aback. Though she had been with Willa all

deep the connection between her

who silently nodded her

- your

run down his spine and turned to Vivienne, insisting. "It's true

Karen. "Sasha, Maddox has been pining over Willa for over a decade. He's beyond help." Karen clicked her tongue. "Maddox, did you scare Willa away? Is that