The Million-Dollar Heart

Maddox's eyes lit up the moment he saw Willa returning home.

He hurried over to her, barely containing his excitement. "Willa, you're back?"

He was so close that his warm breath tickled her face, stirring something unfamiliar within her.

She coughed lightly, pushing him away with a finger. "Back off! You reek of sweat!"

"Huh?" Maddox sniffed himself. "Do I? But I just showered this morning!"

The summer heat made sweating inevitable, prompting him to adopt a twice-daily shower routine.

Willa, uninterested in engaging further, walked straight to Jasper. "Dad, I'm home."

Jasper nodded. "Good to have you back. Sit down. We were just discussing whether Vivienne should acknowledge her father. You should weigh in!"

Willa had barely approached her chair when she paused, confused. "Vivienne's father?"

"Yes," Yuri chimed in. "Today, Vivienne's biological father showed up. DNA tests confirm it's Arthur. He's planning to marry Sasha and wants to officially recognize Vivienne."

As soon as Yuri finished, Willa's expression darkened. "No way!"

Vivienne sent Willa a smile of admiration.

Jasper and the others were taken aback but soon Jasper said, "We were leaning towards refusal too, but after thinking it over, he is Vivienne's father, after all. It seems wrong not to acknowledge him."

Willa scoffed. "Some father! Where was he all this time? Now he decides to show up like he's picking out a bargain at a flea market!"

Willa was known for her aloofness, rarely swearing.

Her outburst left the Perez family speechless for a moment.

his fingers. "Exactly, Willa! I knew we were on the same page. They were all for it, but I said no.

gave him a glance, her

Vivienne sparked a debate. "Arthur is Vivienne's father. It's not up to us," Luke interjected. "Remember, he's a decorated war hero. If the authorities find out he has a daughter he

they'll lock us up?" Maddox

glared at him.

Shrugging, Maddox fell silent.

but they'll surely try to persuade Vivienne. Do you want them

admitted, "That

looking past her cousins to Vivienne, asked, "What

been up early, caught up in court hearings and dealings

she immediately said, "I've already

she added, "Uncle, you're wrong about one thing. If

would she?" Maddox was

sighed, "Because she's blindly in

heard her mother speak of her deep feelings

a partner,

family exchanged looks

"So what now? Do we actually have

was warning enough. "Try

I never said

further discussion, no consensus was reached. Finally, Jasper looked meaningfully at Vivienne. "You actually want to

long

his granddaughter well. She was not one to indulge

of no interest to her, yet her involvement in

soft heart beneath her tough exterior. Deep down, she

not forgetting her and Karen, were

turned

that many issues were being handled

direct response to Jasper's observation,

press further. "Alright, let's leave the decision to Vivienne. For now, let's