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.

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

a soft call, "I'm fine. How

worry, the babies are fine, just born

he's next door, still unconscious but

averted her gaze when mentioning

inability to lie, attempted

just had surgery; getting

entering the room, sighed, "If you want to split me in two, keep stressing yourself

Vivienne frowned, "Mom, how

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

been a great help these past days. Arthur and Dorian are beside themselves with worry, clueless about these matters. Thank goodness for you."

the emergency that unfolded that night when Vivienne and the Ellington family were rushed to the hospital. Both the Perez and Linklater

upon arrival, beyond saving

took charge, locking herself and Percival in the operating room for a grueling day and night,

would have faced Vivienne

to enjoy testing the

tear, leaving the room for Vivienne and Sasha to

mom, how is Mr.

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

was stable,

frowned, "Their injuries are serious;

"Mom, I

darkened, "You

where Abigail was the only real threat to Vivienne,

it, her eyes flashing coldly, "She

squinted, a hint of frustration in her tone, "What on earth does Abigail

yet she hesitates to make her