The Million-Dollar Heart

As their post on Facebook went live, their phones began to explode with notifications, buzzing incessantly without a moment's pause.

If not for the fear of missing something crucial, Percival was tempted to just switch his phone off.

Sitting next to Vivienne, he poured her a glass of water and whispered, "No worries, I'm tough. I can take a hit."

Vivienne chuckled. "I won't let you get hit!"

Percival freed one hand to ruffle Vivienne's hair, his smile brightening in the sunlight, "You're the best, Vivienne."

After lunch, Vivienne lounged on the patio swing, taking in the view of the backyard.

The yard was simple and tidy, with a patch dedicated to a variety of herbs next to the gate.

Flowers of all sorts surrounded the herb garden, and in its center stood a swing set and a stone table. The wicker chair was positioned under the shade of a willow, and as the breeze brushed by, Vivienne felt a sense of peace.

She had spent ten years at Emerald Mountain, isolated and with little contact with the outside world, consumed only by vengeance.

But now, she was living the life she had longed for.

Vivienne turned to look at Percival, who was tidying up in the open kitchen, her smile impossible to hide. "Mr. Wolf, when did you set up this lovely place? How come you never mentioned it?"

"After we moved to Rivenwood, I started looking around. A farmhouse like this is easy to find, but it took a while to find one that was both tranquil and had a nice environment."

Percival came out of the kitchen and sat in the wicker chair beside her, his long fingers entwining with hers. "The previous owner, a centenarian, passed away, and his son wanted to sell it to leave Rivenwood. So, I bought it."

The farmhouse had been the home of an old couple who had lived together through thick and thin, from their youthful days of struggle to their secluded retirement in the countryside. What Percival envied most was their unwavering love right up to the end. He wanted to grow old with Vivienne, just like them.

the farmhouse, hoping some of that old couple's good fortune would rub off on him and Vivienne, allowing

her delicate skin and murmured, "Vivienne, I know you love peace and quiet. I wanted to wait until we are older to settle here, but I couldn't wait to bring you. After we catch that poisonous rat, let's live here, just

only deepened her

lounge chairs, chatting and enjoying the cool breeze, and without realizing it, they

sat up with a start, her forehead crashing into

nose, looked at

"Mara!" She exclaimed.

head, Percival asked,

up in a sanatorium in M State. The guy with Carl must be Huxley," Vivienne said.

to stay at the farmhouse overnight

lunch and couldn't drive, so he called Thomas to

and they

flashy red sports car suddenly appeared

as he said, "Percival, we've got

shielded Vivienne. "Let's

but the man inside was unresponsive. Frowning and on high alert from years of combat experience, Thomas gestured a warning to Percival inside the car,

the man out of the car. They scuffled briefly, but

opponent, the man's head bizarrely detached,

in broad daylight! Thomas himself was stunned, not just because he hadn't exerted much force but because, even if he had, no man's head should pop off so easily. But he quickly realized

no human! It

the car, looked down at the deactivated android

commotion, cries for help were