The Million-Dollar Heart

The shadow of the F-Poison conspiracy loomed large, and there was simply no time for Percival and Vivienne to entertain thoughts of wedding bells just yet. Percival got it. He really did.

Sure, the GTO's weapon manufacturing plants and virus research facilities were obliterated. But he was under no illusion that this was the end.

As long as F-Poison was out there, peace of mind was but a pipe dream.

"Grandpa Jasper and Richard," Percival declared with reassuring confidence, "trust me, I will give Vivienne the most romantic, the grandest wedding the world has ever seen!"

Given the certainty in his voice, the two old men had no objections to offer.

They shared a silent moment before their gaze shifted to Karen, seated quietly to one side.

As Vivienne's mother, she naturally had a say in her daughter's nuptials.

Karen was lost in a hefty turkey sandwich when she felt her father's eyes on her. Hastily swallowing, she chimed in.

"Vivienne's right, and besides, there's still someone missing if we were to have the wedding now."

The room paused, puzzled. Zelda, curious as ever, asked, "Sasha, who are we missing here? Isn't Willa with you?"

Zelda mistakenly thought Karen meant Willa.

But Karen shook her head, nodding subtly toward Vivienne. "Her dad!"

Everyone's confusion cleared. They had never dared to ask Karen outright about Vivienne's biological father's whereabouts.

Even Melissa, despite her curiosity, had held back, fearing that Vivienne's father was no longer alive and that bringing it up might stir up painful memories for Karen. To their surprise, Karen brought it up herself.

Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Zelda pressed, "Sasha, where in the world is Vivienne's dad?"

smiled, "I don't know yet, but when I

they saw the happiness in Karen's smile

That night.

to really talk for the first time since

had weighed

be told, she, too, was eager to know who her

nor Scott was her birth

breaking the silence. "Are you

moving closer to her mother. "Mom, you didn't get abandoned

forehead. "Abandoned? Honey, if anything, I would be the one doing the abandoning! He never had the power to leave me!" Rubbing her forehead, Vivienne persisted, "Why did you two split? You used to say I was too young to

said softly, "Frost, if Percival had to leave you one day because he had an important mission to fulfill, would you be angry? Would you feel like you were not the most important thing to him?" After a moment's thought, Vivienne replied, "No. To carry his mission and honor as a soldier, that's the Percival I love. If he gave up his duty and responsibility for me, I'd eventually become the one

"Me too. I fell for your dad because he stood by his honor. I wasn't abandoned, and he would never abandon me. Even though we're worlds apart now,

has

soldiers protect, and even the common folk battle

to pursue and their own

from Vivienne's forehead, caressing her cheek tenderly, "Don't worry. Your father will be back

a soft acknowledgment, dropping the subject of her elusive

you see that photo Noah took back

darkened, a hint of ferocity flickering in it. "Yes, I

memory of that