The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

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 tshe 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 madeproud. 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.

Jasper, shifting his gaze back to Yorick, finally spoke, "After seeing how Arthur has been with Sasha, I'm not against their marriage. But not in ten days. It has to be when Sasha can consent to it herself. Arthur can take her to the Linklaters', and whether he can wake her up sooner, well, that's on him." Pausing, Jasper looked towards Vivienne, "As for Vivienne, she's made her stance clear. She doesn't recognize Arthur as her father, and we can't force her." Yorick, still basking in the momentary victory, froze at Jasper's words. Turning to Vivienne, he implored, "You don't recognize your father?" Vivienne's lips pressed tightly together, her voice soft yet firm, "I do not." "Why?" Yorick pressed, 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, he was nowhere." "So, no. I do not recognize him." Her declaration hit Arthur like a physical blow, a painful reminder of his failures.

Yorick's heart ached, yet he tried another angle, "What about me? We've got a bond, don't we? I adore you, and at my age, every day is a gift. I've finally found my granddaughter, and it would be a sorrow to pass without recognizing each other." "Grandfather, yes. Father, no," Vivienne clarified, drawing a line.

Yorick was momentarily uplifted by being acknowledged as a grandfather but remained conflicted about her rejection of Arthur. Arthur, taking a deep breath, spoke gently, "It's okay. I respect your decision. But I'll do whatever I can to make amends." He wasn't going to pressure Vivienne. After all, he had been absent during her most challenging moments. How could he demand her recognition now? Vivienne remained silent, her turmoil evident. Despite her lifelong yearning to find her father, his presence now felt like an unwelcintrusion, her defenses automatically rising whenever Arthur approached.

Percival, sensing her distress, quietly held her hand, offering silent support. Vivienne felt a calming warmth from his touch, a soothing balm to her restless heart.

With the future path laid out, Yorick and Arthur took their leave. Their first stop was the research facility to pick up Karen, before heading back to the Linklater residence.

Upon their return, Yorick instructed Arthur to revert to his original nimmediately and began preparations for Karen's room. Arthur, however, insisted on handling everything personally.

vee et Λ No sooner had Arthur changed his nback than unexpected visitors arrived at their doorstep. When Jack and his friends arrived, one of the guys stepped forward, offering a respectful nod to Arthur. "Warrior, good day. We've received a complaint suggesting your behavior has been... odd, raising suspicions that you might be a spy, disguised and infiltrated within the Linklater clan. Therefore, by the orders of our superiors, we're here to escort you back for an investigation." Arthur was baffled. "What the..." The Perez clan! After Yorick and Arthur left, Vivienne and Percival were also getting ready to head home. On the way back, Percival's phone rang. It was Cecilia Boyd on the other end. Pressing the answer button, Percival was immediately greeted by Cecilia's sobbing. "What's wrong, Mom?" he asked, puzzled. Cecilia continued to cry without responding. After asking several times with no reply, Percival got frustrated. "Con, speak up. Crying isn't going to fix anything." Then, through her sniffles, Cecilia blurted out, "I want a divorce from your father!" Percival was stunned. "Divorce? Are you out of your mind?" Even Vivienne was in disbelief! Cecilia's relationship with Nathan Ellington had always been solid; they barely argued. And Nathan was utterly devoted to Cecilia. How could they suddenly be talking about divorce? "I can't take it anymore! You need to cback home! If you don't, I'll lose my mind!" Cecilia's cries grew louder. "I feel worse than dead right now!"