"There was significant blockage," the doctor continued. "He had double-vessel disease — two major blockages. The most dangerous one was in the LAD, and we addressed that first."
Sophia sucked in a breath.
William's jaw tightened.
"But…" the doctor continued, and that word felt like air after drowning, "the surgery was successful."
For a second… No one moved.
As if their bodies didn't trust what they had heard.
"He is stable," the doctor clarified. "He's not out of danger entirely. The next twenty-four hours are critical. But he made it through."
The corridor exhaled as one.
Miranda covered her mouth. Victoria began crying openly. Jon bowed his head. Alexander closed his eyes, hugging the little boy.
Catherine didn't cry. Not at first. Her knees weakened instead. The tension that had held her upright for hours snapped.
Maximilian felt it before he saw it. His hand left hers only to slide to her waist, steadying her as she swayed.
