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.

good fortune would rub off on him and Vivienne, allowing them

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

words only deepened her

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

Vivienne sat up with a start, her forehead

nose, looked at her

"Mara!" She exclaimed.

Vivienne's head, Percival asked, "What

been locked up in a sanatorium in M State. The guy with Carl must be Huxley," Vivienne said. "Let's go see Mara,"

the farmhouse overnight

drive, so he called Thomas

Thomas arrived, and they drove towards

a flashy red sports car suddenly appeared

cold as

"Let's

high alert from years of combat experience, Thomas gestured a warning to Percival inside the car, then opened the door. As soon as the door swung open, a sharp steel

dodged swiftly, grabbed the wrist wielding the knife, and yanked the man out of the car. They scuffled briefly, but it was clear the man was

subdued his opponent, the man's

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

was no human!

and Vivienne, having exited the car, looked down at the deactivated android with cold

the commotion, cries