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

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

onto it, Abigail would have to come

Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a thermometer,

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

eyebrow, "A nap got you this

You've been out for

"Are you saying I'm like

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

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,

you sure

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

caught her hand, "Vivienne, not

did you think? I'm off

speechless as she

laughter echoed through the

He'd been outsmarted.

owed can always be

Seeking a change of scenery, they ended up at a

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

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

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

tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny, adorable,

but Percival let her take it, "Seems like

blushed, "I just like

just smiled, watching

she

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

Percival saw through her.

child, regardless of their personality, would be cherished dearly by

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

IMS