The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Logan noticed Faye wasn't her usual bubbly self and thought she hadn't quite recovered from the ordeal they had just been through.

He offered up the steaming cup of hot chocolate he was holding, "Cut back on the cold drinks, it's getting chilly out and you don't want to catch a cold."

Faye stared at the cup in his hand, lost in thought for a moment before she politely declined Logan's gesture, "No thanks, I'm not really into hot chocolate. Go ahead and finish it, I've got to get back to work." Faye's pace quickened as she spoke, leaving Logan in a haze of confusion.

That same evening, Vivienne had drafted a legal complaint for Mrs. Johnson, but was stopped by Percival just as she was about to send it off.

"Hold on a second, let's not rush into this," Percival said with a chuckle, gently blocking her move.

Vivienne, puzzled, didn't understand why Percival was suddenly stopping her, "They've crossed the line with us, when else are we supposed to act?" "Don't forget about your other student, giving him a chance to shine right now could really boost his reputation," Percival showed her the video again.

In the footage, Logan was always seen protecting Faye, placing her behind him even while communicating with the family.

"I had forgotten about him," Vivienne conceded, finding Percival's argument reasonable, "If he can't protect the woman he loves, then he might as well not confess his feelings at all." Percival drew Vivienne close, "We just need to focus on living our lives well, let them take it one step at a time."

A gentle kiss landed on Vivienne's lips, and just as she was about to lose herself in the moment with Percival, a noise from outside the door brought them back to reality. Their gaze towards the doorway indeed met with two pairs of youthful eyes.

Juliette quickly averted her gaze, feeling guilty, while Isaiah, standing at the door, blushed unnaturally when Vivienne looked over, promptly turning his gaze away just like Juliette had. The siblings' antics amused Vivienne, "What are you doing lurking around the door at this hour? Need anything from us?"

Trying to act mature, Juliette coughed lightly, "Nothing, we're big enough to sleep on our own now."

With that, the two scampered off, not forgetting to close the door behind them.

Vivienne couldn't help but laugh at their hasty retreat, playfully scolding Percival, "I told you to keep the door shut, and now the kids have seen everything."

Percival felt indifferent, "It's good for them

online, the Baker family also caught wind of it, prompting immediate concern

and Grandma Bertha light up her phone made Faye

ringing left her

get hurt anywhere? Has today's issue been resolved?" Hearing Doreen's concern seemed to

response, "I've always told you, you can't just let things slide. You had

planning to

the years, Faye had become adept at only sharing good news, not wanting to burden her

for worry. I'll tell you if something comes

us quite the scare. Are you hiding more from us?"

have to be before you consider it 'big'?" Doreen interrupted, "Enough, I'll be over in a few days to see for myself what's

had

also had to prepare for the barrage of questions from her mother. Just the thought made her head spin. Logan, passing by, spotted Faye standing outside the glass door. He paused, observing her for a long

took out his phone and snapped a photo of Faye's silhouette against the night sky, like the only star shining in

before Mrs. Johnson could even bask in the joy of her son's recovery, she was

ward but had to wait at the front desk for someone to

a call from

unknown number, Mrs. Johnson's

patience, and she exploded with anger the moment she picked up again, "Are you out of your mind, calling me like this? Don't think you can scam

The courier, confused and

maintaining his professionalism,