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.

games were

provoke or to bait, Abigail's endgame was surely the

long as she held onto it, Abigail would have

holding a thermometer, his actions drawing

turned to her, relieved, "I was

eyebrow, "A nap got you

for six hours. I was worried

you saying I'm like a pig

"I'm just glad you're well. It's

her eyes. She playfully pulled him closer, "Mr. Wolf, it's been a while since we've been

sure

spoke, her fingers danced over her blouse buttons,

her hand,

eyebrow, "What did you think? I'm off

speechless as she headed

laughter echoed through

He'd been outsmarted.

what's owed can always be reclaimed, with interest, after

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

set on a hot pot restaurant on the fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique on the third, she couldn't

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

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

Tiny, adorable, yet exuding a love for children in its

but Percival let her

like the dress,

just smiled, watching

she never put the dress

prove she didn't mind the baby's gender, she picked a blue baby shirt at

Percival saw through her.

their personality, would be cherished dearly by

as she made her way towards the escalator leading up to the fourth floor of the shopping

IMS