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

provoke or to bait, Abigail's endgame was

long as she held onto it, Abigail would have to come to

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

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

eyebrow, "A nap got

out for six

you saying I'm like a pig now?

"I'm just glad you're

a while since we've been intimate. Don't you miss it?" Percival hesitated, swept up in her tenderness, yet firmly stating,

you sure

her fingers danced over her

her hand, "Vivienne, not

an eyebrow, "What did you think? I'm off to take a

was speechless as she

laughter echoed through

He'd been outsmarted.

Vivienne forgot, what's owed can always be reclaimed,

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

the fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique on the third, she couldn't look away. Percival teased, "Want

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

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

dress caught her eye. Tiny, adorable, yet exuding a

both reached for it, but Percival let her take it, "Seems like you think

blushed, "I just like the dress,

smiled,

she

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

Percival saw through her.

their personality, would be cherished dearly

happiness as she made her way towards

IMS