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

or to

held onto it, Abigail would have to

and Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a thermometer, his actions drawing a

"I was about to rush you to the hospital if

an eyebrow, "A

been out for six hours. I was worried

I'm like

kissed her gently, "I'm just

Wolf, it's been a while since we've been intimate. Don't you miss it?" Percival hesitated, swept

you sure

fingers danced over her blouse buttons, revealing more with each

her hand, "Vivienne, not

you think? I'm

speechless as she headed to the

echoed through the

He'd been outsmarted.

owed can always be reclaimed,

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

set on a hot pot restaurant on the fourth floor, but passing a baby

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

to babies, especially cute, soft-colored baby clothes. She even toyed with the idea of designing

caught her eye. Tiny, adorable, yet

reached for it, but Percival let her take

just like the dress,

smiled, watching

she never put the

gender, she picked a blue baby shirt at

Percival saw through her.

personality,

arms, Vivienne felt an unusual surge of happiness as she made her way

IMS