The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the hospital room, Karen leaned back against the headboard. Truth be told, she was more than capable of getting out of bed and walking around. Her robust health made it a non-issue, but with Jasper and her brothers' watchful eyes glued on her, not to mention Willa's gentle smile nearby, she found herself staying put.

Jasper's eyes shimmered with moisture, "Sasha, thank God you're awake. I've been so worried! How are you feeling? Hungry for anything? I'll have the cook whip up your childhood favorite dish in no time!" Maddox examined Karen's arm as if verifying her realness, "Sasha, pinch me. I need to know I'm not dreaming." Karen chuckled, "You all worry too much. I was just knocked out, nothing serious. I'm actually itching to stretch my legs; lying in bed all day is makingfeel like a couch potato!" Willa suggested to Jasper, "Maybe we should help Sasha get up and move around a bit. It's not good to stay in bed for too long." Jasper, unable to argue with Karen's wishes, reluctantly agreed.

Maddox, brimming with excitement, leaned in, "Sasha, you won't believe what you've missed. The biggest news is that Percival and Vivienne eloped! But don't worry, we made sure everything was set for their wedding. We were all waiting for you to wake up!" Arthur interjected, "Hold on! Vivienne and I haven't had our big day yet. They can't beat us to the punch!" He was relieved he made it back in time, unable to bear the thought of Percival winning Vivienne's hand so soon. "Percival hasn't gotten pastyet!" Percival, overhearing as he entered, knew he had to step up his game. After all, marrying Vivienne was his unwavering intention. Vivienne, cheeks still flushed from emotion, stepped in to see Karen, supported by Willa, moving around the room, doing light stretches. She seemed in good spirits, her complexion rosy.

Vivienne softly uttered, "Mom." Karen turned with a smile, "Chere and givea hug. Have you lost weight? I've missed you so much!" Vivienne was speechless. It was all too surreal! Percival, wrapping his arm around Vivienne, teased, "Master, I've been taking good care of Vivienne. She's been spoiled with strawberry cheesecake every day." Vivienne rolled her eyes at him.

Karen laughed, "Well, aren't you going to cover here and givea hug? Or do you wantto cto you?" Vivienne reluctantly approached, only to be met with a playful slap on the head from Karen.

Karen scolded, "Heard you've been denying your father? He's the man I chose, and without him, you wouldn't be here. Dare to deny him again, see what happens." Vivienne was flabbergasted. This was not how she expected their reunion to go.

Arthur tried to defuse the tension, "Hey, there's no need for that. If Vivienne's having trouble accepting me, I understand. I've been absent, and I'll make it up to her." Vivienne gave him a look that said, "Nice save." Karen glared at Arthur, "This is betweenand my daughter. Stay out of it!" Vivienne echoed the sentiment, leaving Arthur speechless.

Karen then beckoned Vivienne closer with a smile that was too sweet to trust.

Vivienne, knowing better but unable to resist, stepped forward.

Karen, with a swift move, pinched Vivienne's ear, "I waited over two decades to have your father back. And now you're acting up? Thinking you can push him away? You think just because you're married and happy, you can ruin my happiness?" Vivienne protested, "I never said I was against it!" Arthur, caught in the crossfire, could only protest his innocence silently.

Karen continued, "After everything, you'd sideline your mother for your husband's family? Is that it?" Vivienne, her ear red and sore, pulled away, "Stop with the , Mom. I'm not buying it." Karen scoffed, "What will it be then? Strawberry cheesecake? Let your father make it!" "He can't cook to save his life!" Vivienne retorted without missing a beat, prompting a swift defense from Arthur. Arthur, feeling challenged, declared, "How would you know? I bet I can outcook Percival any day." Percival, caught in the family squabble, could only remain silent.

Vivienne shot Arthur a glare, "This is betweenand my mom. Stay out of it!" Arthur, resigned, replied, "Whatever you say, dear." As the family banter continued, it was clear that, despite the bickering, there was a deep bond of love and affection that held them all together.

Karen casually grabbed a hair tie from the nightstand, her tone firm and decisive, "Don't accuseof making a scene. If you don't want to acknowledge him, today we're going to settle this once and for all." Vivienne looked up, her eyes narrowing, her complexion as pale as a sheet of paper, "Are you saying you'd choose him over me?" A slight movement appeared between Karen's eyebrows, her lips curling into a wry smile, "How could ever not Choose you? You're the child carried for nine months and brought into this world with blood, sweat, and tears! But you and your father need to cto a resolution." "Here's the deal. You and I spar, just light contact, until one of us wins. If I win, you have to accept Arthur as your father. If I lose, then it's up to you. You can acknowledge him whenever you feel like it!" Arthur was shocked, trying to intervene, "No way! I won't allow it. Sasha, you've just recovered. What if something happens? You're my wife and my daughter; I can't let you get hurt over me!" Jasper was equally worried, "Yeah, Sasha, you're being too impulsive. We have all the tin the world. Why rush into this now?" Maddox waved his hands dismissively, his head shaking like a bobblehead, "You've just woken up and we haven't even had a chance to sit down for a meal together! Let's at least have a family dinner before anything else. Jumping straight into a fight is just too heart-wrenching!" But in Karen's eyes, there was a resolute determination. Once she made up her mind, there was no turning back, no room for regret.

A shadow of profound depth appeared in Vivienne's eyes, her crimson lips slightly parting, "Fine, I accept!"