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

of her, whether to provoke or

she held onto it, Abigail

and Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding

on the bedside lamp, and Percival turned to her, relieved, "I

an eyebrow, "A nap got you

out for six hours.

teased, "Are you saying I'm like a pig now? All eat and

gently, "I'm just glad

while since we've been intimate. Don't you miss

sure you

she spoke, her fingers danced over her

caught her hand, "Vivienne,

"What did you think? I'm off to

speechless as she

echoed

He'd been outsmarted.

can always be reclaimed, with interest, after a

they didn't stay in. Seeking a change of scenery,

fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

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

tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny,

met as they both reached for it, but Percival let her take it, "Seems like you think we're having a

just like the dress,

just smiled, watching

more, yet she never put the dress

she picked a blue

Percival saw through her.

their personality, would

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

IMS