The news broke before dawn.
**“Billionaire Lucas Hayes Undergoes Emergency Cancer Surgery."**
**“Mendoza Scandal Reversed? Mistress Turns Caregiver."**
Ella ignored every headline.
Instead, she sat in the waiting room of Rivergate Medical, watching the slow drip of IV bags and the buzz of tired nurses walking past. The red “In Surgery" light had finally flicked off four hours ago.
Now, Lucas lay in recovery—alive, but sedated. The surgeon had called it a success, but cautioned the next weeks would be brutal.
Ella walked the quiet corridor, found Brandon pacing near the windows.
“He's stable," she said quietly.
Brandon nodded. “I booked a press release for noon. They're expecting a statement."
Ella raised an eyebrow. “You want me to talk to the media now?"
“No," he said. “He does.
