The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Anna was at a loss for words to counter Arnold. After all, Soren had just gone off on a tangent, spewing a barrage of words without

giving her a chance to speak.

"You're out of the gnow. Don't letcatch you bothering Anna again!" Arnold towered over Soren, his eyes barely concealing

the anger simmering beneath.

Anna observed Soren in silence for a long while, ultimately choosing to say nothing.

"Let's go, Bobby. My folks are waiting, and we shouldn't dirty our hands," Arnold said coldly, prompting Bobby to release Soren.

The tthen left the lab together.

Vivienne and Percival exchanged glances before finally stepping forward, noting Soren's unresolved frustration. Vivienne

sometimes doubted the purpose of speech for speople.

Hearing their approach, Soren turned and nodded slightly in greeting.

"Why didn't you clear things up just now?" Percival asked the crucial question, eager to hear Soren's excuses.

Soren was taken aback that they had witnessed the entire ordeal. He avoided eye contact, feigning ignorance, "What are you

talking about?"

"You're still playing tough? Aren't you afraid ofpletely disappointing Anna?" Vivienne dropped her usual playful demeanor,

glaring at Soren, "Are you waiting for Anna to spell things out for you? What kind of man does that?"

Vivienne, now thoroughly irritated with Soren, didn't hold back in her criticism.

Percival joined in, "What's with the hesitation? You lose your mind at the first sign of trouble. Watch those videos again when you

get home!"

Percival then turned to soothe Vivienne, "Don't be mad, honey. It's not worth it."

As they prepared to leave, Vivienne suddenly remembered Bobby, recalling his nfrom somewhere. Her investigation into

Arnold had revealed a talented young man well-acquainted with Anna from childhood. This "guy" was no ordinary person.

After today's events, it seemed Arnold had also given up on Soren, pushing the hoped-for reconciliation further away.

"Are we still trying to play matchmaker?" Percival asked as they waited at a traffic light.

Without hesitation, Vivienne shook her head, "Let them figure it out."

Nodding, Percival drove them home.

Back home, Anna was visibly distressed, failing to respond to Graham and Brooke's attempts at conversation, which worried the

elderly couple.

"Anna, Anna?" Brooke shook her gently.

Startled, Anna met Brooke's concerned gaze, "What's wrong?"

"Are you feeling alright? Maybe you should rest upstairs," Brooke suggested, worried about the flu going around, "Do you have a

headache? | can have the kitchen make you ssoup."

Anna initially wanted to refuse but, seeing Brooke's concern, she relented.

Arnold, witnessing Anna's unease, couldn't help but tease, "Can't handle this much? Don't et, my parents haven't even stepped

in. If they knew about this, they'd probably have figured out where to bury that boy."

Arnold wasn't joking. Both elders had adored Anna since childhood, initially hoping to pair her with Arnold until they learned of his

preferences, leaving them disappointed.

They had always wished for Anna's happiness, treating her almost like a daughter. Knowing this situation wouldn't easily blow over.

Shaking her head, Anna doubted whether Soren would take the necessary steps forward. Both were stubborn to a fault.

Bobby, noticing Anna's low spirits, nudged Arnold to drop the subject.

Arnold, reluctantly closing his mouth mid-sentence, mentally noted Soren's mistake.

Returning home, Soren reviewed the videos on his phone until darkness fell. It dawned on him that Arnold and Bobby were clearly

a couple—meaning he had been mistaken about Arnold's orientation all along.

Was this entire debacle a misunderstanding?

Soren tried to message Anna but couldn't get through, unsure if he had been blocked.

Both spent a restless night.

The next morning, Arnold was startled to see Anna with dark circles under her eyes, "Didn't sleep at all last night? Were you out

causing trouble?"

Anna wordlessly headed to the bathroom.

Expecting a day off from seeing Soren, Anna was surprised when he showed up at her doorstep, bags in hand.

Upon opening the door, Anna and Soren locked eyes, both unsure of the other's intentions. Was this an attempt at an apology?

"Who's there, Anna? Why are you lingering at the door?" Brooke's voice echoed from the living room.

Before Anna could respond, Arnold walked over, "You can't even manage to open a door without making a scene. How do you even

survive living alone?"

Arnold's smile froze when he saw Soren, and with a snort, he looked down on him, "What are you doing here?"

Taking a deep breath, Soren bowed deeply to Arnold, "I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Arnold. | misunderstood you yesterday."

Arnold was visibly ufortable with the sudden apology, pacing awkwardly, "What's the point of saying this now? What were you

thinking before?"

Anna remained silent, watching Soren who seemed genuinely remorseful for his mistake.

"Yesterday, | messed up and caused a misunderstanding between us. | was just too impulsive because, well..." Soren trailed off,

struggling to find the right words.

Arnold shot him an annoyed glance. "Why are you standing outside? You want people to think we're skind of cold-hearted

family that leaves guests out in the cold?"

With that, Arnold turned and walked away.

Both Anna and Soren were momentarily stunned. Was that Arnold's way of accepting him?

Anna barely had tto revel in the moment. Her smile faded instantly as she turned to Soren. e on in."

"Who's arrived? Why were you and Anna dawdling outside for so long?" Graham peered towards the door, noting only Arnold had

returned.

Soren, laden with bags of various sizes, stepped into the house, catching Graham and his partner off guard as he made his way

into the living room.

"Hi there, sorry for intruding," Soren said, awkwardly.

The hosts didn't quite know how to respond until they saw the gifts he brought with him.

The value of the items was apparent at a glance, but something about the situation made Graham and his partner feel uneasy.

It almost seemed like... he was here to ask for Anna's hand in marriage?

Just as this thought crossed their minds, Soren clarified his intentions.

"I chere today primarily to apologize to Mr. Graham and his partner. | misunderstood you guys yesterday, and Anna, I'm really

sorry for not listening to you."

"But that's not the only reason I'm here. | also wanted to tell you all that | have feelings for Anna. | hope you can givea chance

to pursue her."