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.

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 you feeling

"I'm fine. How are Mr. Wolf and

the babies are fine, just born a bit early

he's next door, still unconscious but

briefly averted her gaze when mentioning Percival, revealing her discomfort

her friend's inability to lie, attempted to rise, "I need to

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

entering the room, sighed, "If you want to split me in

"Mom, how is Mr.

the idea of leaving

then turned to Cordelia with a grateful tone, "Cordelia, you've been a great help these past days. Arthur and Dorian are beside themselves with worry, clueless about these matters. Thank goodness for you." Cordelia, looking sympathetically

the handmade baby clothes before the birth, they wouldn't have known of the emergency that unfolded that night when Vivienne and the Ellington

critically ill upon arrival, beyond saving according to

the operating room for a grueling day and night, pulling

knew how they would have faced Vivienne upon

to enjoy testing the perfect match

a tear, leaving the room

mom, how is

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

that Mr. Wolf was stable, Vivienne asked

frowned, "Their injuries are serious; they're

her jaw, "Mom, I must

eyes darkened,

Abigail was the only real threat to Vivienne,

didn't deny it, her eyes flashing coldly, "She won't get

in her tone, "What on earth does Abigail

she provoked us, yet she hesitates