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

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

had raised a stone to Vivienne, Jasper had nearly rallied a posse to

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

Jasper let her off the

no less of a worry! Always

many years. If I hadn't given her this little scare today,

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

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

chair and began

came to, I was with another family. I met Finnian during school. He said I had a 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,

to Emerald Mountain. You were

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

joked about her being a lousy deal - she was traded for a

bottle of whiskey! Come

narrowed her eyes at Maddox, replying, "Uncle Maddox, my mom has been with Aunt

corners of his eyes, his voice tinged with concern. "Sasha, were you really with Willa? How is she? Is she eating well? Has she lost weight? Is she sleeping okay? Does she dress warmly? Has she

been with Willa

connection between

at Vivienne, who silently nodded

it's as you suspect - your brother is hopelessly in

chill run down his spine

Maddox has been pining over Willa for over a decade. He's beyond help." Karen