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."

dawned on him that Vesper, who had

yourself sooner? You've been through so much hardship. Do you have any idea how worried I was when I saw the explosion on that cliff?" Jasper and his family had watched the ordeal unfold through "Zelda's" robotic surrogate via a

had nearly rallied a posse to storm over, but Maddox and Yuri had managed to restrain

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

how could Jasper let her

lady, you're no less of a worry!

been 'dead' for so many years. If I hadn't given her this little scare today, she'd still be

wonder your master always speaks ill of you!" Karen shot back, though her eyes were devoid of any real

on earth did you

to a chair and began to recount her

unique talent and wanted to take me on as an apprentice. I went along with it for fun and never officially took the pledge. Eventually, I joined Vanguard Agency and got involved with more advanced work, and my thoughts kept drifting to bionics and synthetics, and here we

Mountain. You

insisted I bring a bottle of whiskey as a token of apprenticeship. I was too stingy, so I promised him

about her being a lousy deal - she was traded for a bottle of

could not help but laugh. "Niece, you're not even worth a bottle of whiskey! Come and stay with your

offense. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at Maddox, replying, "Uncle Maddox,

abruptly as if he had bitten his tongue. He quickly sidled up to Karen, the traces of tears still visible at the corners of his eyes, his voice tinged

barrage of questions took Karen aback. Though she had been with Willa all this time, Willa never

didn't realize how deep the connection

glanced at Vivienne, who

it's as you suspect - your brother

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

rolled his eyes in disgust, pushing Maddox aside and moving closer to Karen. "Sasha, Maddox has been pining over Willa for over a decade. He's beyond