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

these tricks in front of her, whether to provoke or

as she held onto it, Abigail would

holding a

on the bedside lamp, and Percival turned to her, relieved, "I was about to rush you to the hospital if you didn't

raised an eyebrow, "A nap got

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

"Are you saying I'm like a pig

"I'm just glad

spark in 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 stating,

you sure

her fingers danced over her blouse buttons, revealing

hand, "Vivienne, not now,

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

was speechless as she headed to

echoed through the

He'd been outsmarted.

owed can always be reclaimed, with interest, after

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

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

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

cravings, but lately, she found herself drawn to anything related to babies, especially cute, soft-colored

store, a white tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny, adorable, yet exuding

let her take it, "Seems like

just like the

just smiled, watching

cheeks reddened more, yet she never put the

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

Percival saw through her.

regardless of their personality, would

clothes in her arms, Vivienne felt an unusual surge of happiness as she made her way towards the

IMS