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

front of her, whether to provoke or to bait, Abigail's endgame was surely the

long as she held onto it, Abigail would have

Wolf tiptoed in, holding a thermometer, his actions

"I was about to rush you to the

eyebrow, "A nap got you this

You've been out for six hours. I

I'm like a

"I'm just glad

a spark in her eyes. She playfully pulled him closer, "Mr. Wolf, it's been a while since we've been intimate. Don't you

you sure you can

spoke, her fingers danced over her

caught her hand, "Vivienne, not

did you think? I'm off to take

speechless as she headed to

echoed through

He'd been outsmarted.

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

they didn't stay in. Seeking a change of

floor, but passing a baby boutique on

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

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

tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny,

Percival let her take it, "Seems like you think

just like the

just smiled, watching

she never

picked a blue

Percival saw through her.

regardless of their personality, would be

of happiness as she

IMS