The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

As Jasper's words settled, Maddox and his brothers simultaneously dug into their ears, listening intently. They were certain they hadn't heard correctly the first tand needed to pay closer attention.

The next moment, they saw Arthur bow slightly in a gesture of respect and then say earnestly, "Yes, I am Vivienne's father, Karen's husband, but I never abandoned her. I was called back to active duty on an urgent mission. Before I left, I tried to find Karen but couldn't. With the pressing tand the weight of the mission, I had no choice but to leave without a word!" Arthur continued, "When the war was over, and I cback to look for her, she was nowhere to be found. All these years, I never stopped searching for her. I didn't even know she had given birth to our daughter. It was only today, at the court hearing, when I saw Vivienne, that I guessed. Later, a DNA test confirmed by the doctors at Vivienne's lab proved beyond doubt that I am her biological father." Arthur bowed again, "Dad, I owe so much to Karen and Vivienne. I know that even the rest of my life may not be enough to make up for it, but I still want to try my best to do so. I want to start by giving Karen the wedding we never had...” Before he could finish, Jasper spat vehemently, "Pah! You think you can marry my daughter after all this? Dream on! Even if she were the last person on earth, the Perez family would take care of her. Who do you think you are? Marry her? You wish!" He was livid! Just moments ago, he was questioning his own sanity for not recognizing Arthur.

Now, he was genuinely questioning his sanity! This man, who had caused his daughter so much pain, had the audacity to show up at the Perez household? Did he think Jasper was too old to defend his family? As Jasper finished, Maddox and his brothers were equally incensed.

Maddox barked, "Get lost! After abandoning my sister for years, you dare to show up making excuses, thinking you can marry her? She's been our precious gem, and you think you have the right? You better leave before I break your legs!" Yuri added, "Shameless, showing up at the Perez household like this? My sister raised her daughter all by herself, and now you want to waltz back into her life? What have you been doing all these years? Dreaming? Even if my sister wasn't in a coma, she wouldn't marry a loser like you!" Luke scoffed, "War God? More like the Grim Reaper! You should've stayed gone. They've been fine without you! The Perez family will always be their rock. They don't need your so-called redemption." Zelda Lynette chimed in, “Exactly! Sasha doesn't need you. She's incredibly talented and successful on her own, not to mention Vivienne's achievements. They don't need anything from you. You think being the War God makes you entitled to their forgiveness? The Perez family doesn't see it that way!" Vivienne watched quietly as they all turned on Arthur, a faint smile playing on her lips, as if amused by their sudden change of heart.

Maddox and his brothers quickly denied any previous statements of acceptance.

Jasper declared, "I must've been blind!" Arthur was dumbfounded by their reaction.

This wasn't what he had expected at all.

But he had anticipated sresistance and knew he had to show true sincerity to win them over.

So, he said, "I'm deeply sorry for the past. I won't make excuses. I failed them, and any anger you direct atis justified. But please, givea chance. Vivienne has been without a father for over twenty years. I don't want her to miss out on that any longer.' Jasper, still fuming, looked over at Vivienne.

Indeed, their outrage was for Karen, but their hearts ached for Vivienne.

Raised without a father, and having lost her mother at nine, she grew up alone, facing disdain.

Had she not been strong and capable, she might have crumbled under the weight of her hardships.

They could deny Arthur for Karen's sake, but not obstruct Vivienne's right to know her father. A critical role in a child's life.

"I said no!" Vivienne's gaze was icy as she faced Arthur. "I will never acknowledge you!" Arthur felt a pang of pain meeting her cold stare.

Before he could respond, Maddox glared at him, "Did you hear that? She doesn't acknowledge you! Are you sick in the head? After disappearing for so long, why.ne back now? Can't you see Vivienne's hurting?" "Playing the hero when you should've stayed gone. Do you enjoy breaking up families?" Arthur tried to explain, "I..." Before he could finish, Jasper pulled a sword from the wall, swinging it at Arthur, "You scoundrel, I told you to leave! If my granddaughter suffers because of you, I swear I'll end you myself!" Arthur dodged, "Dad, let's talk this through. We're family, after all!" "Nonsense!" Jasper swung again, shouting, "Family? You're no family of ours! From now on, any War coming to the Perez household will be met with this sword. I swear it on my life!" Arthur stood there, speechless.

Jasper was a force to be reckoned with! "You can deny it all you want, but we're family now. Your daughter had a child with me; there's no escaping that bond!" Arthur dodged a swing from Jasper's sword, shouting as he moved.

"And you have the nerve to talk back to me? Get out, will ya?" Jasper slammed his sword down onto a chair splitting it in two with a foud crack. "If you don't leave now, you might never walk out of here!" Hearing this, Arthur's eyes lit up, and he stopped in his tracks. "Dad, are you serious? I don't have to leave?" Jasper fumed, "Get him! Throw him to the dogs!" Arthur leapt back, "Con, Dad! That's no way to treat your son-in-law. I'm supposed to be here for you, through thick and thin." "You cursingto die now?" Jasper's mustache seemed to bristle with anger. "I knew it! You've been nothing but trouble since you stepped into this house, wishingdead. Alright, alright, before kick the bucket, I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me!"