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."

clicked - it dawned on him that

rascal, why didn't you reveal 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

to Vivienne, Jasper had nearly rallied a posse to storm over, but Maddox and Yuri had managed to restrain him just in

from Percival had assured him of their

Jasper let her off the

young lady, you're no less of a worry! Always giving your grandfather gray

"Grandpa, blame my mom. She's been 'dead' for so many years. If I hadn't given her this little scare today, she'd still

always speaks ill of you!" Karen shot back, though her eyes

"Sasha, how on earth did you end up

helped Jasper to a chair and began

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, and here we

Vivienne to Emerald Mountain. You were leaving her in your master's care as a playful

"Not quite. He insisted I bring a bottle of whiskey as a token of apprenticeship. I was

always joked about her being a lousy deal - she

but laugh. "Niece, you're not even worth a bottle of whiskey! Come

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

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 with

aback. Though she had been with

deep the connection

glanced at Vivienne, who silently nodded her

Mom, it's as you suspect -

a chill run down his spine and turned to Vivienne,

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 help." Karen clicked her tongue. "Maddox, did you scare Willa away? Is that why she