The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

After hanging up the phone, the car was silent. Faye tried to say something, but she found herself speechless. It was not Logan's

concern anyway.

Logan noticed her hesitation and took the initiative to ask, "Did shee to see you?"

"Yeah, just arrived," Faye replied with an embarrassed smile.

"It's good to see her. Aren't you due for stoff? If you're not too swamped at work, you should talk to your boss about

taking a break. It'd be good for both of you to get out and unwind," Logan suggested casually as if managing her vacation time.

Faye had thought along the slines.

The car entered the underground garage, and Logan and Faye walked into the elevator one after the other, quickly reaching the

ground floor.

Exiting the elevator, they saw Doreen waiting at the door.

As soon as Doreen saw Faye, she rushed over and gave her a once-over.

In front of Logan, Faye felt a bit embarrassed. "I'm fine, Mom, really."

Doreen didn't listen, only relaxing once she was sure Faye was indeed alright.

"You never tellanything. Do you have any idea how worried your grandma and | were?" Doreen scolded gently, her voice

shaking, "From now on, you need to put your safety first, okay? If it wasn't for me, your grandma would be here lecturing you too!"

Faye smiled at Doreen, "I really am okay."

Doreen then noticed Logan, a familiar face.

Realizing who he was, Doreen approached Logan with recognition, "I remember you! You're the one who helped our Faye in that

video, right? Thank you so much. We'll have to invite you over for dinner as a thank you."

Faye couldn't understand why her mom was acting so familiar but let her continue. The two seemed to be getting along well.

Logan smiled, "That's really not necessary. It was nothing."

Doreen sensed something different in the air, her gaze shifting between Faye and him, eventually nodding thoughtfully, "Even so,

I'd like to thank you properly. Don't feel awkward about it. Faye will be there too, and it'll be a good chance for you to catch up, now

that you're colleagues, right?"

Doreen's questioning gave Faye an odd sensation, as if her mom was screening a potential son-in-law.

Before the conversation could shift towards settling down or buying cars, Faye quickly intervened, "Mom, let's not do this here. It's

busy, and Dr. Logan's got work to attend to."

Logan was about to insist it was fine, but seeing Faye's increasing difort, he didn't.

Doreen apologized to Logan for the oversight, "Sorry about that, Logan. | got carried away."

"It's no problem," Logan replied politely.

"Let's plan for another tthen," Doreen suggested, afraid Logan might refuse. "I'm here for a while, so when you both are free,

I'll cook dinner."

After ensuring Logan's agreement, Doreen watched him leave, then turned to Faye with a different look.

"Why are you looking atlike that, Mom?" Faye asked, already dreading the answer.

"Let's go get you that toff now. You'reing hwith me, and et about the hospital for a few days. I'll be keeping an

eye on you!" Doreen declared, leaving no room for argument.

Faye resignedly coordinated her leave with the other doctors, who all agreed she deserved a break. The news of her vacation

brought them happiness rather than surprise.

"You better rest up and enjoy your toff, Faye. You've got a whole week! Do whatever makes you happy," the dean said as he

handed her the approved leave form.

"Thank you," Faye gratefully accepted, leaving the hospital with Doreen.

On the way, Doreen inquired about Mrs. Johnson's issue, "Was the police station visit because of her too?"

"Yes, she started causing trouble for the nurses early in the morning after receiving a lawsuit, and then she did the swhen she

saw me. Logan showed up and decided to call the police," Faye explained.

Doreen glanced at Faye through the rearview mirror, "Logan seems to have a knack for playing the hero, always showing up just in

time, doesn't he?"

Her mother's words made Faye realize the pattern: Logan always seemed to be there when she was in danger.

Was he always keeping an eye on her, or was it just the bond of friendship?

Faye sank into silence in the backseat, uncertain but also finding the topic difficult to broach.

Doreen noticed her daughter's dilemma but decided it was best for things to remain unspoken for now, allowing for a better

understanding to develop between the two.

Arriving at the dormitory, Doreen and Faye packed sessentials before planning to head out.

A packed lunchbox on the table caught Doreen's attention, and next to it, a note stuck to the table.

Faye stepped out of her room, clutching her bag, only to find Doreen standing at the kitchen island, seemingly lost in thought over

something.

"Mom, what has got you so captivated?" she asked.

"Someone's been sending you meals?" Doreen shifted her gaze to Faye, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and amusement as

she read aloud the note that cwith the delivery.

Faye felt like she'd been struck by lightning, rooted to the spot.

"Who's been sending my daughter meals? And even went the extra mile to write such thoughtful notes."

Despite knowing her mom was just teasing, Faye couldn't help but blush.

"It's nothing, let's just go," she hurriedly said.

Doreen couldn't help but chuckle at her daughter's flustered reaction, realizing that this Logan must indeed be the object of her

affections.

While Doreen had a favorable first impression of Logan, she knew better than to take things at face value. She was determined to

thoroughly vet this young man.

Unaware of Doreen's internal musings, Faye remained lost in her thoughts, still processing the unexpected gesture.