The Million-Dollar Heart

Maddox's grin froze on his face, and the bowl in his hands clattered to the floor.

Heads turned at the sound.

"Maddox, you just broke Natalia and Yasmine's favorite bowl, you're so screwed, man! Say goodbye to your wallet!"

"Oh, Maddox, when will you learn? You handle things like a bull in a china shop, and look what happens!"

"Oopsie, don't be mad, Natalia and Yasmine, I'll buy you a new one and make Uncle Maddox here pay up!"

Trying to keep cool, Maddox forced a smile and turned to the girls. "Sorry, Natalia and Yasmine, but I cut my hand pretty bad. Doesn't anyone feel sorry for me?"

Luke immediately whisked the two kids away. "Girls, remember not to date a guy like this one."

Yuri and Fredrick also quickly made their exit, unable to watch the embarrassing scene any longer!

After everyone left, Karen pulled out a small bottle of antiseptic powder and sprinkled it on Maddox's wound, which healed quietly.

"No need to look so surprised, Maddox. Without Frost, I'd have less than a 2% chance."

Karen smiled at Maddox and added, "Just don't tell Dad, okay? I don't want him to worry. Just say I'm off to find Frost's dad, and it'll be a long time before I can come back, alright?" Maddox fought back tears, his eyes reddening but not allowing a single tear to fall.

Even with Vivienne and Karen working together, they only had a 2% chance of success. That left Maddox thinking...

"Sasha, can't we just not do it?" Maddox struggled with the idea one last time.

"No, we have to do this," Karen replied with certainty.

silent, accepting that this

the yard, Jasper and Vivienne were locked in a tense game of chess, neither willing to

as the game neared its end, Jasper suddenly asked, "Vivienne, what's your

so slightly, and she managed a smile. "Oh, just out for dinner, shopping, and

lightly. "She's my daughter; she

chess piece landed with a thud

mom is attempting a procedure. It could restore memories, or

breath dissipating into the air, followed by his grave voice. "I knew it. She was too chatty tonight, fussing over this and that. She's up to something,

her lip. "She doesn't want

"Tell me the truth, Vivienne. What are the chances

words barely escaping

procedure had only a one

it wouldn't have so easily repaired Calista's failing organs. Yet, its effects seemed mild, which

about to inject this mysterious ST-1 into Karen and perform

a one percent chance. And that one percent was only for the surgery itself; for the medication, she had no confidence

up into his reddened eyes and said, "Sure, tell

let your mom know I'm aware of this. Pretend I'm

was tough on the outside but carried a heavy heart. She was aware she might not wake up again.

burden her. He would pretend to be oblivious, letting his precious daughter take her path without interference.

chess game. "You lost today. Next time, we'll have your mom win it

eye as she stared at

or Karen, none of them wanted to put pressure on her. They had chosen to keep things under wraps instead of revealing