Innocence Sold(Sope)

4~ Desperate Choice

Authors pov

Five days later, the pressure was unbearable. Hoseok’s heart raced as he paced anxiously in the kitchen of the restaurant where he worked. He had been trying every possible avenue to scrape together enough money to get Namjoon out of the hospital, but every effort seemed to fall short. The hospital’s constant reminders and the doctor’s stern demands had only heightened his stress.

Hoseok’s boss, an old and somewhat grumpy man, had denied his request for an advance on his salary. The old man’s refusal echoed in Hoseok’s ears, adding to his growing desperation. His mind spun with thoughts of Namjoon, who remained in the hospital, separated from his brothers and unable to be a part of their lives.

As Hoseok stopped pacing, he heard the soft creak of the kitchen door opening. Alex walked in, his expression immediately shifting to one of concern when he saw Hoseok’s distressed state.

“Hoseok, what’s going on?” Alex asked, stepping closer.

Hoseok looked up, his face flushed with anxiety and frustration. “I can’t get the money I need. The hospital won’t let me take Namjoon home until I pay the bill, and I’m running out of options. I even asked my boss for an advance, but he said no. I don’t know what to do!”

Alex’s face softened with empathy. “Sit down, Hoseok. You’re clearly overwhelmed. Let’s talk about this.”

They sat at a small table in the kitchen, and Hoseok’s composure finally broke. He buried his face in his hands, tears streaming down his cheeks. Alex reached over, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“I can’t stand seeing Namjoon in that hospital,” Hoseok choked out. “I need him back with his brothers. It’s tearing me apart.”

Alex sat quietly for a moment, letting Hoseok’s emotions spill out. “Listen, I know you’re going through a lot, and I want to help. We talked about my side job before, remember? If you’re willing, it’s still an option.”

Hoseok shook his head, still sobbing. “I know, but I don’t want to go down that road. I want to keep my dignity. But… I’m running out of choices.”

Alex squeezed Hoseok’s shoulder reassuringly. “I understand, and it’s a hard decision. But think about your brothers, Hoseok. They need you, and you need to get Namjoon home. The money you can earn from this could make a big difference.”

After a moment of silence, Hoseok looked up, his eyes red and tired. “How much do you actually earn from this? I need to know what I’m getting into.”

Alex gave a small, encouraging smile. “It varies, but you can earn a significant amount if you do your job well. Some clients come just for entertainment or to watch, and they’re often willing to pay a lot for it. The important thing is to provide them with the best experience you can.”

Hoseok took a deep breath, nodding reluctantly. “Alright. How do I start? I need to get this done as soon as possible.”

Alex’s smile widened, sensing Hoseok’s resolve. “You can start tomorrow. I’ll take you to meet our boss, Madam soo, who runs the operations. She’s a trans woman and very experienced in this field. She’ll help you get started.”

Hoseok nodded, a mixture of anxiety and determination on his face. “Okay. I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever it takes for my brothers.”

“Good,” Alex said, standing up. “Let’s get you home and pick up your babies. They need you, and we’ll figure this out together.”

Hoseok and Alex left the restaurant, and Hoseok’s mind was heavy with the upcoming change in his life. He tried to focus on his immediate task—picking up Jin, Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook from their education centers. As he gathered his siblings, he tried to push away the looming dread of the next day.

At home, as he tucked his brothers into bed, Hoseok’s heart ached with the knowledge of what lay ahead. He kissed them goodnight, holding each of them close. “I love you all so much,” he whispered, his voice trembling.

As he sat alone in the quiet apartment after the kids had fallen asleep, Hoseok stared at the ceiling, trying to come to terms with the drastic step he was about to take. The weight of his responsibilities and the sacrifice he was making for his family bore down on him, but his love for his siblings gave him the strength to move forward.