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.

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 okay? I'll call the doctor."

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

reassured her, "Don't worry, the babies are fine, just born a bit early and currently in the NICU. They'll

he's next door, still

mentioning Percival,

attempted to rise,

can't! You've just

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

"Mom, how is Mr.

idea of leaving her

beside themselves with worry, clueless about these matters. Thank goodness for you." Cordelia, looking

she not decided to deliver the handmade baby clothes before the birth, they wouldn't have known of the emergency that unfolded that night when Vivienne and the Ellington family were rushed to the hospital.

critically ill upon arrival, beyond saving

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

knew how they would have faced Vivienne

seemed to enjoy testing the perfect match

leaving the room for

how is Mr. Wolf

remedy worked. When I arrived, he was barely alive. His injuries are severe and his powers have been partially consumed. He'll

stable,

"Their injuries are

"Mom, I must avenge Mr.

darkened, "You confronted

the only real threat to

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

hint of frustration in her tone, "What on

she provoked us, yet she hesitates