The hospital doors slid open, and the cool breeze rushed against Mia's face. She had barely taken two steps outside with Ryan when a sea of microphones and cameras blocked their way.
"Mr. Ryan! Mr. Ryan, over here!"
"Is it true that Miss Mia is your girlfriend?"
"Are you officially a couple?"
The crowd of reporters surged forward, their flashes going off like fireworks. Mia stiffened, overwhelmed by the sudden wave of attention. She instinctively pressed closer to Ryan, lowering her gaze.
Ryan, however, didn't flinch. In fact, the corner of his mouth curved upward ever so slightly. His hand slid around Mia's waist, anchoring her to his side.
"Careful," he whispered to her, his voice steady and calm. "Ignore them. Just focus on me."
Mia nodded faintly, her heart racing.
"Mr. Ryan," a female reporter called out, "people are saying this young lady is more than your secretary. Is she?"
Ryan's eyes flicked to the woman, and then, with a smooth, confident smile, he replied, "Why bother asking what's already obvious?"
The crowd stirred, their cameras clicking rapidly.
Another reporter shouted, "So, are you officially confirming your relationship with her?"
Ryan chuckled softly, the sound low and charming. "Confirm? No. I don't need to confirm anything." He glanced at Mia, his gaze warm. "But since you all insist… yes. Mia is the woman I love."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Mia's eyes widened, heat flooding her cheeks. She hadn't expected him to just say it so boldly.
"Does that mean wedding bells soon?" someone yelled.
Ryan raised a brow, smirking faintly. "One question at a time. Don't rush her—she's still recovering."
Laughter broke out among the reporters, though their cameras kept flashing nonstop. Ryan, however, had said enough. He raised his hand slightly, and the crowd instinctively went quiet.
"As for the rest," he said smoothly, his tone firm but polite, "our personal life is our business. Respect that, and you'll continue getting answers. Cross that line…" His eyes sharpened briefly, making his point clear. "…and you won't."
The silence that followed was thick, almost reverent.
With that, Ryan tightened his hold on Mia, guiding her gently but firmly through the crowd and toward his waiting car. He opened the door for her like a gentleman, then leaned in slightly, murmuring just for her to hear:
"Don't worry, love. Let them write whatever stories they want. The only truth that matters… is us."
Mia's heart melted, her earlier nerves fading as she looked at him. For once, she didn't care about the cameras—because Ryan's words had drowned them all out.