The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Logan's office was eerily quiet.

He hadn't slept well last night and was currently squinting his eyes for a quick rest, having skipped breakfast which left his stomach in knots.

So, when he heard footsteps, Logan immediately became alert. The moment the door swung open, he lifted his eyelids to see who it was.

Their eyes met unexpectedly, and both were surprised to see each other so clearly at first glance.

"What brings you here?" Logan was the first to recover, dropping his hand from where it had been resting on his stomach.

Faye noticed his small movement and extended her hand towards him, "Got you this. Passed by the convenience store and figured you skipped breakfast too, so I brought you something." A part of Logan that had been tightly sealed suddenly began to loosen. He stared at Faye, stunned.

So she still cared...

"Consider it a thank you for covering my shift last night. After all, it's only polite to return the favor," Faye said, instantly uprooting the little sapling of hope Logan had just begun to nurture. After all, she was just trying not to owe him anything!

Faye didn't understand why Logan's mood could shift so drastically in such a short time. Was there something wrong with her actions?

Dr. Pendleton: This isn't just a problem; it's a huge issue!

"There was no need to go out of your way. It was nothing," Logan said with a smile.

Though he was smiling, Faye could tell he was suppressing his discomfort.

"No, it's different. I'll leave this here, make sure you eat," Faye said, putting down the item and leaving as quickly as she came, without any intention of further conversation. Logan slumped in his chair, thinking, great, my quest to bridge the gap has led us to become strangers!

his desk, lacking the courage to even touch it, feeling as if doing so would somehow make their already strained relationship

department, Dr. Pendleton eagerly approached, "How did it go?

"Maybe?" Faye was uncertain.

opportunity, eagerly asked, "What did you say?

just said it was a thank you for helping me out last night, to keep

vanished in a second after hearing Faye's response,

talking about, dating?" Even though she knew Dr. Pendleton was joking, Faye couldn't help but feel her heartbeat quicken, "There's nothing like that going on. If you keep joking about it, he's going to get upset." "Oh, my dear, he's upset? Logan is probably holding back his happiness," Dr. Pendleton said, patting Faye's hand in a mix of frustration

considered consulting Vivienne, but they were on vacation, and it

these thoughts, Logan soon fell asleep at his

Could you check with Logan?" The department head handed her several files,

showed her an indicator, Look here, the quantity you've listed exceeds the standard If we go ahead with this, it could lead to complications.

to decline, but the department head effectively blocked her escape, "Aren't you two old school friends? This should be easy for you to resolve. I have to attend a lecture now, so I'm leaving this in your hands." With the department head rushing off, Faye

office, the quietness struck her.

desk, the breakfast she

from hunger?" she

his shallow

spilled over him, softening his usually

reached out almost instinctively to brush his hair away from his face, her warm fingertips accidentally touched his skin, causing Logan to abruptly open

was taken aback by the sudden eye contact and

Logan's gaze softened, and he lifted his

Faye's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She was supposed to ask about the surgery

herself, Logan noticed the document

replied, trying to steer the conversation back to professional matters and away from their awkward moment. Logan gave her