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

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

onto it, Abigail would have

Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a thermometer, his

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

raised an eyebrow, "A nap got you

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

teased, "Are you saying I'm like a pig now? All

gently, "I'm just glad you're

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

sure

her

her hand, "Vivienne, not now,

did you think? I'm

as she headed to the

laughter echoed through the

He'd been outsmarted.

owed can always be reclaimed, with

Seeking a change of scenery,

pot restaurant on the fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique on the third, she

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

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

Tiny, adorable, yet exuding a love for children in its intricate

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

"I just like the dress,

smiled, watching

cheeks reddened more, yet she

baby's gender, she picked a blue baby shirt at the counter,

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 escalator leading up to the fourth floor of

IMS