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 beneath

her, whether to provoke or to bait, Abigail's endgame was

it, Abigail

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

to her, relieved, "I was about to

eyebrow, "A nap

'nap'? You've been out for six hours. I was worried

teased, "Are you saying I'm like

kissed her gently, "I'm just glad

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

you sure you

over her blouse buttons,

hand,

did you think? I'm off to

as she

laughter echoed

He'd been outsmarted.

what's owed can always be reclaimed, with

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

fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

related to babies, especially cute, soft-colored baby clothes. She even toyed with

white tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny, adorable, yet

for it, but Percival let her take it, "Seems

like

just smiled,

more, yet she never put

the baby's gender, she picked a blue

Percival saw through her.

child, regardless of their personality, would be cherished

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

IMS