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.

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

as she held onto it, Abigail would have to

open, and Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a thermometer, his actions drawing

relieved, "I was about to rush you to the

raised an eyebrow, "A nap got you

You've been out for six hours. I

you saying I'm like a pig now?

just glad you're well. It's

spark 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, swept up in her tenderness, yet

sure you

her fingers danced over her blouse buttons, revealing more with

caught her hand, "Vivienne, not now,

"What did you think? I'm off to take

as she headed to the

laughter echoed through the

He'd been outsmarted.

can always be reclaimed, with

Seeking a change of scenery,

hot pot restaurant on the fourth floor, but passing a baby boutique on the third, she couldn't look away.

Without hesitation, Vivienne nodded.

herself drawn to anything related to babies, especially cute, soft-colored baby

white tulle dress caught her eye. Tiny, adorable, yet exuding a love

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

just like the dress, that's

smiled, watching

reddened more, yet she

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

Percival saw through her.

regardless of their personality, would be cherished

as she made her way towards

IMS

she glanced down

spun around quickly, making her way

instinctively moved to protect her. "Vivienne, what's