Anew • Lee Mark

11.

"To be precise, what happened for you to be in this condition Miss Ahn Seoyeon."

All heads turn sharply at the sound of Mark's voice. But the owner of the voice has his eyes solely focused on Seoyeon and the IV connected to her hand. 

"Mark-" Seoyeon attempts to sit up, but her head is firmly pushed against the pillow by Renjun's finger. "I. Said. Don't. Move." Renjun's stern face makes even Haechan shift away a little. 

"Renjun." Mark begins with a tight voice. "You know I despise people lying to me." To this, Renjun nods curtly. "Then speak. Is something wrong with her?"

"Hyung?" Haechan is confused and concerned, but Mark raises his hand, and that stops him from asking anything. 

Renjun finds himself in a dilemma, unable to decide whether telling Mark the truth will be the right course of action or not. Either he tells Mark, risks Seoyeon getting upset but earns a possible ally to coerce her into getting treatment or he lies, risks Mark's friendship and trust but gets Seoyeon to open up a bit, potentially allowing them to convince her for treatment.

"Hyu-" Just as Renjun begins, Seoyeon lightly grabs hold of his sleeve. He looks down at her. With desperation on her face, the girl pleads with her eyes. And watching the entire interaction like a hawk, Mark narrows his eyes.

"Just so you know, I saw her coughing. And it wasn't normal. "As if confirming Mark's suspicions, Renjun's shoulders become tense. Seoyeon squeezes her eyes shut along with Chenle. With conviction in his voice, Mark directs his next words to Seoyeon. "And I saw blood on the corridor floor."

"What!?" Haechan gasps. He swerves around to stare at the rest of the boys. "The hell is all this!?" Jeno and Chenle look away guiltily, yet Jisung stares back defiantly.

"Oh now you are concerned?" Jisung tries to walk closer to Haechan but is held back by Chenle. Jeno too warns him but Jisung can feel his pent-up frustration waiting to be let out. "No Jeno hyung, since when has Haechan hyung cared about Seoyeon noona? All this while, he's been cursing her and flaunting his hatred like a medal."

"Seoyeon noona?" Haechan repeats in disbelief as he finds the situation ludicrous. "Did you just-"

"Yes, I did. So what?" Jisung fires back. "Not everyone has given up on emotions." 

"Yeah no, I'm done being an emotional fool." Side-glaring Seoyeon he continues. "And you can thank her for that."

"Hyung it's not-"

"Why are you defending her so hard all of a sudden?" Haechan questions with a scowl. "What changed for you Park Jisung that suddenly she's the victim and I'm the villain?" 

"Dr. Lee-"

"Shut up! You don't say a word!"

Seoyeon was only trying to divert Haechan's attention out of fear that a fight might erupt between him and Jisung. But the way Haechan raised his voice at her, made her flinch. Seeing this makes Jisung more furious as he knew Seoyeon's trauma makes her feel vulnerable every time someone shouts or yells at her. 

On the other side, surprisingly Mark too had a look of disapproval. "Haechan, I'll ask you only once." His deep voice enunciates. "Lower your voice."

Haechan opens his mouth to retort but says nothing after seeing the warning look on Jeno's face. He huffs and turns back toward Jisung. "Look hyung, that brat is choosing her over me." He glances at Seoyeon and makes a disgusted face. "Did she seduce you to turn you against us?"

Immediately, Jaemin slams his hands down on a nearby table which sends a wave of shock across the room. To even strangers it is apparent that Jaemin is the calmest member of the team. Jaemin does not get angry easily but once does, he becomes the scariest person alive. Even Haechan acknowledges this.

Which is why currently all the boys are holding their breaths, anxiously observing Jaemin's intimidating back. Standing upright and putting his hands in the pocket, Jaemin swiftly turns around and slowly approaches Haechan.

"What did you just say?"

"I-" Haechan nervously looks around, seeking help from the others but they either shake their heads or raise their hands in defeat.

"Apologise." Jaemin's voice is firm and dangerously low. "Lee Donghyuck."

"Dr. Na, it's okay. I'm fine-"

"Apologise to her now!"

Scared, Haechan instantly complies. The next moment, Jaemin grabs Haechan by the collar of his shirt.  "Now listen to this carefully."

Alarmed, Seoyeon gestures Renjun and Jeno to stop the two but Mark signals to not interrupt.

"Just now, you accused a woman who helped you numerous times and insulted a friend who's looked up to you for years."

"Jaem, that's enough. I think he realises his mistake." Jeno says carefully as he does not want to take sides. Jaemin harshly lets go of Haechan. Haechan stumbles back and is caught by Jeno. 

"No, he doesn't understand Jeno! Jisung was right. In his rage, he can't even see how illogical he's acting."

"Jaemin." Renjun calls, part sternly and part gently. "You are scaring Seoyeon." Though momentarily, Jaemin softens his gaze a little. He looks at her worried eyes and mouths 'sorry'.

Mark takes this as his cue to speaks up. "Haechan isn't entirely wrong. Seriously, is it worth fighting over a girl like that?"

"Hyung." Chenle says, shocked at what he's hearing. "Are you even hearing yourself?"

"What? Seems like you guys have forgotten what she has done."

Jaemin scoffs. "We were fools to hope anything from you." He meets Mark's eyes. "Just so you know, you don't deserve to hear this. But I'll still tell you because the least you can do is to feel guilty." 

He gives Renjun and Jeno a silent look to which they both nod. Seoyeon realises what the three talked about but it's too late. 

"Haechan. Mark hyung. Seoyeon is dying. Congratulations, your hate won. And her love lost."  

Haechan and Mark that's not how Taeyong raised you. Everybody say thank you Jaemin for finally calling them out.