Her Predestined Life

CHAPTER XIII: THE CONSEQUENCE

All the members filed into the room, bringing a rush of warmth and camaraderie. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Jungkook in a wheelchair, his usual exuberance dimmed but not extinguished. I instinctively tried to get up, but Lex gently pushed me back down, his eyes stern yet relieved. He removed my handcuffs and gave me a look that said, "Take it easy."

Jungkook's voice cut through the room. "Agent 6, reporting for duty, ma'am!" he shouted, a playful grin on his face. I couldn't help but laugh, the sound breaking the tension that had hung in the air. "Why are you in a wheelchair?" I asked, my concern evident.Before Jungkook could answer, Jimin stepped in. "He needs bed rest for a few days, but as soon as he heard you were awake, he made a big fuss until we brought him here."I sighed in mock exasperation but couldn't hold back my laughter as I looked at Jungkook, who beamed back at me. The room filled with the sound of our shared joy, a stark contrast to the tension we had all felt earlier.

Jess and my sister entered next, their faces initially shadowed with worry but quickly lighting up as we cracked jokes and shared stories. Our laughter was contagious, spreading to them and lifting the weight from their shoulders.Then, my parents and Jess' parents arrived. My mom enveloped me in a tight hug, tears of relief streaming down her face. "I'm so proud of you," my dad said, his voice choked with emotion. Jess' parents approached me with gratitude in their eyes. "Thank you," they said, handing me a large box of imported fruits. I accepted it with a smile, my heart swelling with appreciation."None of this would have been possible without Lex and Jimin," I said, looking at my friends who had stood by me through everything. "I owe them everything.", I said.

Meanwhile, Havana was going around the room, gleefully collecting autographs from all the members. I felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment wash over me, but what could I do? She was still my lovable albeit idiotic sister. When she reached Taehyung, she whispered something to him, causing him to glance sharply in my direction. I quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.As everyone started to leave the room, I found myself alone with Lex. I asked him if he could make me some orange juice. With a sigh and a smile, he grabbed a few oranges and started squeezing them with the squeezer.

Watching him work, I couldn't resist teasing him. "So, Lex," I began, my voice light and playful, "when were you planning to tell me that you're the leader of the RRH organization?"He paused mid-squeeze, his eyes widening slightly before he looked at me. "I was going to tell you once you recovered," he admitted, then stopped and stared at me, a mix of surprise and curiosity on his face thinking about how I knew his deepest secret.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I figured it out yesterday, just before I fainted," I said, grinning at him.Lex chuckled, shaking his head as he resumed squeezing the oranges. "Guess I can't keep any secrets from you, huh?". "Nope," I replied, still smiling. "But it's okay. Makes things more interesting."
We shared a light-hearted laugh, the tension melting away as the sweet, citrusy scent of freshly squeezed orange juice filled the room.

In that moment, two uninvited guests burst into the room—Stephanie's parents. Their faces were etched with a mix of sorrow and desperation. "We're so sorry for what happened to you and your friends," they began, their voices trembling with remorse.

Lex and I exchanged a wary glance but listened as they spoke. For the next ten minutes, they recounted the friendship Stephanie and I once shared, their voices heavy with nostalgia and regret. Then, their tone shifted, becoming more pleading. "Please," they begged, "Stop the court from giving Stephanie the death sentence. It isn't fair."Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. "I understand your pain," I replied, my voice calm but firm. "I am hurt too. If she had surrendered, she might have only faced a few years in prison. But she chose this path, thinking she could escape the consequences."

Their expressions darkened, and anger flashed in their eyes. "Every action has its consequence," they retorted bitterly."Exactly," I said, my gaze unwavering. "That's why she's in prison right now, and that's why you're here."With a scoff of fury, they stormed out, leaving the room heavy with unresolved tension. Lex squeezed my shoulder reassuringly, and I let out a slow breath, the gravity of the situation settling over us.

Just as the tension from Stephanie's parents' visit began to dissipate, Taehyung strolled in, a teasing glint in his eyes. I caught Lex's eye and signaled for him to leave. He gave us a knowing smile, whispering something to Taehyung before exiting the room with a playful wink. I understood he knew something I didn't.

Taehyung pulled a chair close to my bedside and sat down, his presence immediately lightening the atmosphere. "Why are you here?" I asked, genuinely confused but with a smile playing on my lips.He leaned in slightly, his voice low and teasing. "I came to find out why you like me."
My heart skipped a beat. "Who told you that?" I managed to stammer out, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"Jimin mentioned it a few years ago," he said with a grin. "He said I was your bias. Yesterday, I finally saw you in person, but we didn't get much time together. Your sister also let it slip that your room is filled with my pictures."I could feel the embarrassment creeping up, but his next words caught me completely off guard. "I drove your parents home yesterday and stayed over. I slept in your room, by the way. And I also saw my photos surrounded with hearts and your letters"I scoffed, trying to mask my surprise with mock indignation. "How dare you sleep in my room without my permission!"

Taehyung laughed, the sound filling the room with warmth. "I just wanted to be closer to you" he said softly, his eyes locking onto mine. I immediately covered my face with the blanket but he kissed my wrist and said "I will be waiting for you in your room. Until then see you soon Hailey".