The Million-Dollar Heart

For whatever reason, getting involved now just wasn't the best timing.

It all hinged on Anna making the next move.

Thinking back to the puzzled tone in Anna's voice over the phone, "Vivienne, this can't be happening..." she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Percival, seeing her furrowed brow, knew she was overthinking again. He reached out, gently pressed his thumb against her forehead, and soothed, "Vivienne, Anna's more than capable now, we don't need to worry about her." Vivienne nodded in agreement.

That was the very reason she could let Anna investigate on her own; Anna had learned from the best - her.

To uncover the truth with her own hands, rather than through someone else's findings.

Returning home, Vivienne fell into a deep, unexpected nap that lasted till nightfall.

Waking up, it was too dark outside to see clearly.

Her phone had missed calls, none from Anna, but from Draven.

Sitting up, she redialed, "Draven?"

"The target, Declan, made his move."

Vivienne urged, "Go on."

"This afternoon, we caught him using shadow signals with his fingers under the light. But the gestures aren't in our decryption database. He's not talking either." Vivienne's voice was stern, "Send me the surveillance footage."

"Right away."

The moment she hung up, the video arrived. As Draven described, Declan was indeed signally something.

But it wasn't a code; it was an old-world charm she'd encountered in her paranormal studies.

Translated, it meant, "For the greater good, eternal."

Vivienne's lips curled into a wry smile.

Declan's "greater good" was nothing but the delusions Abigail had fed him.

these mind games

tricks in front of her, whether to provoke or to

as she held onto it,

creaked open, and Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a thermometer, his actions drawing a laugh from

bedside lamp, and Percival turned to her, relieved, "I was about to rush you to

eyebrow, "A nap got you this

been out for six hours. I

like

gently, "I'm just

a spark in her eyes. She playfully pulled him closer, "Mr. Wolf, it's been a while since we've been intimate. Don't you miss

sure you can

she spoke, her fingers danced over her blouse buttons, revealing

her hand, "Vivienne,

an eyebrow, "What did you think? I'm off to take a

speechless as she headed to the

echoed through

He'd been outsmarted.

owed can always

next day, they didn't stay in. Seeking a

a baby boutique

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

it was the pregnancy cravings, but lately, she found herself drawn to anything related to babies, especially cute, soft-colored baby clothes. She even toyed with the idea of designing baby wear

dress caught her eye. Tiny, adorable,

for it, but Percival let her take it, "Seems like you think we're having a

blushed, "I just like the dress, that's

smiled,

yet she never put the dress

mind the baby's gender, she picked a blue baby shirt at

Percival saw through her.

their personality, would be cherished

an unusual surge of happiness as she made her way towards the escalator leading up to

IMS