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."

what if they saw?" Percival felt indifferent, "It's good for them

the Baker family also caught

Doreen Baker and Grandma Bertha light up her phone made Faye hesitate.

persistent ringing left her no choice

Has today's issue been resolved?" Hearing Doreen's concern seemed to lift a weight off Faye's shoulders, "Mom, I'm okay,

upon hearing Faye's nonchalant response, "I've always told you, you can't just let things slide. You had to

planning

Doreen was right. Over the years, Faye had become adept at only sharing good news, not wanting to burden her family with

fine now, Mom. Really, there's no need for worry. I'll tell you

for years, you've kept silent. We thought nothing much was happening, but that video gave us quite the scare. Are you hiding more from us?" "Truly, no, Mom. I don't mention the small

to see for myself what's going on. Then

Doreen would surely come; accepting this call had sealed that outcome. She sighed resignedly,

but she 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

and snapped a photo of Faye's silhouette against the night sky, like the

the joy of her son's recovery,

but

a call

unknown number, Mrs. Johnson's

she picked up

The courier, confused and

maintaining his professionalism,