The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

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.

Yet, these mind games were beneath her.

in front of her, whether to provoke or to bait,

she held onto it, Abigail would have

door creaked open, and Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a

turned to her, relieved, "I was about to rush you to

"A nap got

out for six

saying I'm like a pig now? All eat and

"I'm just glad

Wolf, it's been a while since we've been intimate. Don't you miss it?" Percival hesitated, swept up in her

you sure you

her blouse buttons,

her hand, "Vivienne, not

"What did you think? I'm off to

as she

laughter echoed through the

He'd been outsmarted.

can always be reclaimed, with

they didn't stay in. Seeking a change of

set on a hot pot restaurant on the fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

she found herself drawn to anything related to babies, especially cute,

her eye. Tiny, adorable, yet exuding a

as they both reached for it, but Percival let her take it, "Seems like you think we're having

just like the dress,

just smiled, watching

yet she never put the

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

Percival saw through her.

personality, would be cherished dearly by

in her arms, Vivienne felt an unusual surge of happiness as she

IMS

the escalator, she glanced down on

around quickly, making

protect