The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"You're finally awake, finally," he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of relief and joy as he held Karen tightly in his arms. "All these years, I've been searching for you, Karen. Only now have I cto know your true name." Tears streaked down his handsface, emotions overwhelming him as he embraced Karen, wishing he could meld her into his very being.

"I was burdened with a mission back then, surrounded by danger at every turn. I didn't know you were the War God. I feared that revealing my true identity might endanger you, perhaps even bring disaster upon you. But deep down, I always knew we'd meet again. I've never forgotten our vows," Karen said, her voice filled with a mix of joy and determination, holding him close.

Arthur caressed her hair tenderly, "Yes, we've both been fighting for a common goal these years. I know you've suffered a lot for me. From now on, I'll be by your side, protecting you from any harm." Karen tightened her grip around his waist, leaning further into his embrace, "There's something else. We have a daughter; I believe you've met her." Arthur nodded, his gaze softening even more as he looked at her, "Yes, I've seen our daughter. She looks so much like you, almost like a spitting image. It's thanks to you that we have such a wonderful and beautiful daughter." A proud flush swept over Karen's cheeks as she smiled, "Frost is our only daughter. She has never letdown. It was Frost who handedover to you, wasn't it? Otherwise, you would never have been able to takeback." Arthur smiled, though it was tinged with bitterness, "Yes, it was her. She knows how much you loveand how I've been searching for you. That's why I was able to bring you back to personally take care of you. But, she's hesitant to acknowledge me." A flicker of surprise and understanding passed through Karen's eyes, "Frost has had a hard tfollowingall these years. She's not like other children. I even sent her to the Emerald Monastery. Accepting you will naturally be hard for her. But now that our family is finally reunited, I won't let us be separated again." She tiptoed to kiss Arthur on the lips, soothing him, "Don't worry. Withhere, Frost will caround." Like a child seeking reassurance, Arthur nodded and buried his head in her neck, "Now that you're awake, I better let her know. Otherwise, she'll hold this against me!" Arthur pulled out his phone and dialed a number, but after a moment, he frowned and shook his head in disappointment, "Line's busy, couldn't get through." Karen reassured him, "She might be busy with something. Try calling her again later." At that moment, Vivienne indeed was on another call. She answered nonchalantly, not rushing to speak.

"Hello, Vivienne. This is Ramona Grimshaw. Can we meet?" cthe voice over the phone.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, "Sure." They agreed to meet in the upstairs room of a quaint diner filled with the charm of old Americana, its wooden tables illuminated by warm, yellow lights, and the walls adorned with vintage bird motifs, exuding a sense of elegance and history.

Ramona was already there, sitting with a shadow over her brow, her mind racing through memories as she held a cup of steaming coffee.

Upon Vivienne's arrival, Ramona, sipping her coffee gently, then setting it down, looked up.

"What do you want?" Vivienne asked, noticing the cup of coffee prepared for her, eyebrow quirked in surprise.

Was this the shaughty and disdainful Ramona, now extending an olive branch with a simple gesture of coffee? Ramona stood up, facing Vivienne, and bowed slightly, "Vivienne, I'm sorry. I coveted Percival and opposed you at every turn, being rude and overbearing. I've wronged you." Vivienne, her legs crossed, took a sip of the coffee, "Did Oliver Grimshaw send you to apologize?" The question caught Ramona offguard; she hadn't expected Vivienne to guess this. Without hiding anything she admitted, "Yes, my father askedto apologize. After the Grimshaw family fell, I visited him in prison. He worries you won't letoff easily, given my past actions." Before meeting Oliver, Ramona harbored resentment towards Vivienne, contemplating revenge. But Oliver, earnestly, advised her if she wished to live well, she mustn't provoke Vivienne. The Grimshaws stood no chance against her, especially with Percival by her side. All Oliver wanted was for his daughter to live on, not to strike against the impossible. The Grimshaws were now dependent on her survival.

Vivienne, discerning Ramona's fears with a glance, responded calmly, "I won't hold the past against you. This time, I'll let you off. Oliver once did my mother a favor. I'll repay that by sparing you today." With that, Vivienne finished her coffee and left, leaving Ramona watching her departing figure, understanding perhaps why Percival saw no one but Vivienne.

Outside, Vivienne checked her phone, noticing several missed calls from Arthur.

Frowning, she wondered why Arthur would call so persistently. She had already checked on her mother's condition the day before, and nothing seemed amiss.

Her thoughts were interrupted by another call from Arthur, which she answered immediately.

"Sweetheart, your mom's awake!" Arthur's excited voice cthrough.

Then, another voice added, "Frost, it's your mom. I'm awake now. Aren't you coming to see me? I've missed you so much!" Vivienne felt a lump form in her throat, her eyes misting, "I'm on my way. I was just tied up with sthings." As the words fell, Percival pulled up in his car right in front of her, his voice laced with concern, "Why are you crying?" A flash of anger crossed his eyes-who had dared to make his girl cry? Before he could even step out of the car, Vivienne had already opened the door and jumped in, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "My mom woke up!" Percival's heart skipped a beat at the news, and he immediately revved the engine, speeding off towards their destination.

The Linklater household was a buzz of activity. The news of Karen waking up spread like wildfire, not only to the Linklaters but also to the Perez and Ellington families, who all arrived as quickly as they could.

Arthur cast a reproachful glance at his father, "Dad, Karen's just woken up. Why did you invite such a crowd?" Yorick looked equally helpless, "How was I to know everyone would show up? I only told Jasper. And you know I couldn't keep it from him. His daughter's woken up, and if he didn't know, he'd be the first to givean earful, not to mention heal you accountable! And then, you can forget about marrying his daughter without a fuss!" Arthur sighed, "Okay, you've got a point. But you're wrong about one thing-Karen will definitely marry me! If Jasper disagrees, I'll just have to be the one to ask for her hand." Yorick smacked him lightly on the head with his cane, glaring, "You dare, after all the years we've raised you, you little rascal!"