The Million-Dollar Heart

The atmosphere grew thick with silence, like a weighted blanket over the evening. The younger members of the Perez family remained quiet, too respectful to interject in the presence of their elders. After a moment that stretched too long, Yorick sighed deeply and faced Jasper with a solemn nod. "Look, I'll be the first to admit when we're in the wrong. My son messed up, and there's no sidestepping that fact. We're here to apologize," he declared with conviction.

Continuing, he couldn't help but add, "But you've seen it yourself, the way Arthur feels about Karen, it's the real deal. Why should we stand in the way of true love? And have you even asked Karen what she wants? Does she genuinely not wish to marry Arthur?"

Jasper found himself speechless, caught off guard.

Karen, ever the romantic, had always been clear about wanting a love like that of Vivienne's parents. And it was an unspoken rule that Vivienne's wedding wouldn't proceed without her father present. If Karen were conscious, she'd undoubtedly leap into Arthur's arms without hesitation.

"Look, we all want what's best for them," Yorick pressed on, proposing an idea. "Karen's currently out of it, why not let Arthur take her home? Over at the Linklaters', nobody would dare harm a hair on her head And who knows, maybe having Arthur by her side will be what it takes to bring her around."

"And as for Vivienne," Yorick continued, "she's been with you long enough. After years of being apart, it's time she returned to the Linklaters', to be openly recognized as part of the family. No one wants her living under the shadow of being fatherless. She's my first granddaughter, and I plan to spoil her rotten."

"But let's make one thing absolutely clear," he added firmly, "changing names is off the table. I've got three sons, and Arthur's the only one who's made me proud. You can take your pick of the other two, but Arthur? He stays."

Jasper listened in silence, absorbing Yorick's words. After a moment, he turned to Arthur, "What's your take?"

"I stand by my father's decision," Arthur replied earnestly, a rare display of filial agreement.

Yorick couldn't help but internally roll his eyes. Arthur was never this compliant at home.

not in ten days. It has to be when Sasha can consent to

Vivienne, "As for Vivienne, she's made her stance clear. She doesn't recognize Arthur as her father, and we can't force

still basking in the momentary victory, froze at Jasper's words. Turning to Vivienne, he implored, "You don't recognize your

voice soft yet firm, "I do

desperation creeping into his voice. "We've cleared up the past misunderstandings. He was away on duty, not by choice. And he's always kept you and your mother in his thoughts." Vivienne's eyes hardened, her voice dropping, "He might have been a War God, but he wasn't there when I needed a father the most. When I was sick, having nightmares, bullied, or when my mom and I were in danger,

do not

declaration hit Arthur like a physical blow, a

heart ached, yet

got a bond, don't we? I adore you, and at my age, every day is a gift. I've finally found my granddaughter,

without

Father, no," Vivienne clarified, drawing

uplifted by being acknowledged as a grandfather but remained conflicted about her

deep breath, spoke gently, "It's okay. I respect your decision. But

he had been absent

find her father, his presence

hand, offering silent support. Vivienne felt a calming warmth from

Yorick and Arthur took their leave. Their first stop was the research facility to pick up Karen, before