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

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

it, Abigail would have to come

holding a thermometer, his actions

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

an eyebrow, "A nap got you this

been out for

I'm like a pig now? All eat and

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

a while since we've been

sure you can

spoke, her fingers danced over her blouse buttons, revealing more

hand, "Vivienne, not now,

an eyebrow, "What did you think? I'm

she

echoed

He'd been outsmarted.

Vivienne forgot, what's owed can always be reclaimed, with interest, after a

in. Seeking a change of scenery, they ended up at

passing a baby boutique on the third, she couldn't look

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

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

tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny, adorable, yet exuding a love for

it, but Percival let her take it,

"I just like

smiled,

she never put the dress

mind the baby's gender, she picked a blue baby

Percival saw through her.

of their personality,

happiness as she made

IMS