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.

snapped his fingers. "Exactly, Willa! I knew we were on the same page. They were all for it, but

gave him a glance, her

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 hasn't

acknowledge him, they'll lock us up?" Maddox rolled his

at him.

Shrugging, Maddox fell silent.

won't imprison us over this, but they'll surely try to persuade Vivienne. Do you want them

admitted, "That would

Vivienne, asked, "What do you think,

in court hearings and dealings with the Grimshaw family, and had

"I've already said I won't

looking at Maddox, she added, "Uncle, you're wrong about one thing. If my mom wakes up, she'd definitely

was

"Because she's

mother speak of her deep feelings for Arthur, though she'd

it made sense. Perfect as a partner,

exchanged looks of

out of his surprise, asked, "So what now? Do we actually have to accept this guy as part of

enough.

no, I never

was reached. Finally, Jasper looked meaningfully at Vivienne. "You actually want to acknowledge him, don't

long

was not one to

of no interest to her, yet her involvement in this discussion

exterior. Deep down, she knew Arthur wasn't the villain she portrayed him

not forgetting her and Karen, were testament enough to his

conversation turned

change now that many issues were being handled by Vivienne and

avoiding a direct response to Jasper's observation, simply stated, "Grandpa,

press further. "Alright, let's leave the decision