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.

mind games were

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

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

tiptoed in, holding a thermometer, his actions drawing a laugh

"I was about

raised an eyebrow, "A nap got you this

been out for six hours. I was

like a pig now?

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

closer, "Mr. Wolf, it's been a while since we've been intimate. Don't

you sure you

spoke, her fingers danced over her blouse buttons,

hand, "Vivienne, not now,

did you think? I'm off to

she headed to

echoed

He'd been outsmarted.

owed can always

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

fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique on

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

found herself drawn to anything related to babies, especially cute, soft-colored baby clothes. She even

the store, a white tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny,

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

just like the dress, that's

smiled,

reddened more, yet she never put the dress

picked a

Percival saw through her.

their personality,

in her arms, Vivienne felt an unusual surge of happiness as she made her way towards the escalator leading up to the fourth floor of the shopping

IMS