The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

She slowly rose to her feet, a mocking sneer aimed at Vivienne, who stood beyond the barrier. "You think you can trap me? Laughable!"

Abigail's eyes narrowed as she bit her fingertip, letting drops of blood coalesce in mid-air before forming a seal with her fingers.

Harnessing her unique powers, she shattered the barrier.

However, the act rebounded upon her, leaving her greatly weakened.

Thus, upon escaping, she didn't immediately counterattack Vivienne but instead took the only thing she still had in her possession, Nathan, using him as a hostage in a power struggle against Vivienne. She secretly imbued Nathan with a force, betting that when Vivienne attempted a rescue, this force would transfer into her, serving as the final boost needed for her grand scheme.

As Vivienne managed to save Nathan, Abigail feigned a move and vanished into the shadows of the underground labyrinth.

Invisible to others, Vivienne, however, could sense Abigail's escape route by tapping into the dark energy within her.

She leaped to pursue but suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen, followed by a warm sensation of blood trickling down her legs. Gripped by waves of pain, she was immobilized.

Leopold, disregarding those around him, rushed to support the nearly collapsing Vivienne. "Vivienne, stop the chase, you're hurt!"

Leopold was clueless, but Vivienne understood her condition all too well.

"It's the baby, I'm going into labor."

"Labor? Now?"

Leopold's face contorted in panic. "Vivienne, what do we do... How does one give birth?"

Glancing at Mr. Wolf nearby, Vivienne took a deep breath to calm herself and gave her instructions, "Leopold, call my parents, tell them to bring help. Mr. Wolf has a remedy that will know what to do."

Two days later, Vivienne woke up to a white hospital ceiling, her body aching softly, aware of what had transpired.

She had given birth a month early.

Wilson, carrying a glass of warm water, dropped it in shock upon seeing Vivienne awake. Ignoring the spill, she rushed to Vivienne's side. "Vivienne, you're awake! Are

stopped her with a soft call, "I'm fine. How are Mr. Wolf and the

"Don't worry, the babies are fine, just born a bit

he's next door,

her gaze when mentioning

to lie, attempted to rise, "I need to

"Vivienne, you can't! You've just had surgery; getting up could cause

want to split me in two,

"Mom, how is Mr.

silent, prompting Vivienne to drop the idea of leaving her bed

days. Arthur and Dorian are beside themselves with worry, clueless about these matters. Thank goodness for you." Cordelia, looking sympathetically at Vivienne,

known of the emergency that unfolded that night when Vivienne and the

ill upon arrival, beyond saving

herself and Percival in the operating room for a grueling day and night, pulling him back from death's

would have faced Vivienne

seemed to enjoy testing the perfect

tear, leaving the room

is Mr. Wolf

barely alive. His injuries are severe and his powers have been partially consumed. He'll need time to

Mr. Wolf was stable,

frowned, "Their injuries are serious; they're

her jaw, "Mom, I must avenge

eyes darkened, "You

was the only real threat to Vivienne, Sasha's accusation was

flashing coldly, "She won't get away with

of frustration in her

and again, she provoked us, yet she hesitates to make