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!

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

to her department, Dr. Pendleton eagerly approached, "How did it

"Maybe?" Faye was uncertain.

asked, "What did you say?

was a thank you for

response, "Wait, is this how you guys talk when you're

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

the breakfast. He considered consulting Vivienne, but they were on vacation, and it felt wrong to

soon fell asleep at his

problem with this surgery report. Could you check with Logan?" The department head handed her several files, pointing

the standard If we go ahead with this, it could lead to complications. I don't have time to discuss this in detail right now. Could you please check with

This should be easy for you to resolve. I have to attend a lecture now, so I'm leaving this in your hands." With

office, the quietness struck her. The door was

his desk, the breakfast she had brought

he passed out from hunger?" she

she noticed his shallow

over him, softening his usually

his hair away from his face, her warm fingertips accidentally touched his skin,

taken aback by the sudden eye contact and the

Faye, Logan's gaze softened, and

her own impulsive gesture, Faye's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She was supposed to ask about the

as she was about to explain herself, Logan noticed the document in her hand, "Is there an issue with

to amend it," Faye replied, trying to steer the conversation back to professional matters and away from their awkward