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 were beneath

her, whether to provoke or to bait, Abigail's endgame was surely the Millennium Aegis

long as she held onto it, Abigail would have to

creaked open, and Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a

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

eyebrow, "A nap got you this

for six

like a pig now?

gently, "I'm just glad you're well.

her eyes. She playfully pulled him closer, "Mr. Wolf, it's been a while since we've been intimate. Don't you miss it?" Percival hesitated, swept up in her tenderness, yet firmly

sure

over her

her hand, "Vivienne, not now,

eyebrow, "What did you

was speechless as she headed to the

laughter echoed

He'd been outsmarted.

owed can always be reclaimed, with interest, after

in. Seeking a change of

had her heart set on a hot pot restaurant on the fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique on the third, she couldn't look away.

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.

white tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny, adorable, yet exuding a love for children in its intricate

as they both reached 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,

cheeks reddened more, yet she never put

she picked a blue baby shirt at the counter, buying

Percival saw through her.

regardless of their personality, would be cherished dearly by

as she made her way towards the escalator leading

IMS