Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 32

Minutes stretched into hours before Dr. Smith finally emerged from the treatment room. His expression was serious, and he asked, "Are there any relatives of Mr. Hyun I can speak to?"

Jihoon quickly stepped forward, his voice steady. "Mr. Hyun has given his medical power of attorney to the company. As the company's representative, you can share any details of his condition with me."

Dr. Smith nodded, acknowledging Jihoon's authority. "Alright, follow me."

He led us to the room where Arc lay. His face, usually full of energy, was now tight with pain. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, it was clear that he was struggling to maintain his composure.

Dr. Smith glanced at us before speaking. "Mr. Hyun hasn't broken any bones, but one of the nerves in his lower back is being pinched. It's causing a significant amount of pain."

I frowned, concern rising. "So, what should be done next?"

Dr. Smith looked at Arc, who was still trying to mask his discomfort. "It's not a serious injury, but it will require some care. My recommendation is two weeks of complete bed rest to allow the nerve to heal properly. After that, the pain should subside."

Arc's face shifted from a grimace to one of frustration. "One week? I can't afford to take a break right now. I have a concert tomorrow. If it's just pain, I can handle it."

Dr. Smith smiled, almost knowingly. "I figured you'd say that. I've treated many celebrities with similar injuries, and they all try to push through it. Here's what I'll suggest: I can administer an injection that will numb the pain for about four hours. During that time, you'll need to wear a brace, and you absolutely cannot perform any strenuous activity. If you don't follow these precautions, the injury could worsen."

Arc's eyes darkened as he considered the options. "Four hours... and then what?"

Dr. Smith took a deep breath before responding, "After four hours, the pain will return, and it will be much worse than before."

Arc furrowed his brow, his determination unwavering. "Can I not take the injection again?"

Dr. Smith shook his head. "You need to wait at least three hours between injections. Even if you try to administer another one before that time, it won't be effective."

Arc's voice was still steady, though the edge of frustration was clear. "But I won't feel any pain during those four hours, right?"

Dr. Smith nodded. "Yes, you won't feel the pain for that duration, but don't forget, you're still injured. The more you move, the worse it will get. The injection only masks the pain, it doesn't heal the injury."

Arc's expression hardened, and he gave a firm nod. "Give me the injections. I need to perform."

Dr. Smith didn't argue. "Okay, I'll have my nurse prepare the prescription and get you a back brace." With that, Dr. Smith turned and left the room to make arrangements.

As the door closed behind him, a part of me wanted to protest, to tell Arc to take a break, to rest. It was clear that this injury needed proper care, but the more I watched him, the more I understood his drive. He wasn't going to stop for anything. His love for his fans, his commitment to the show—it was all consuming. I could already sense how my protests would be met: dismissed without a second thought.

Still, despite knowing his stubbornness, a wave of concern washed over me. But I remained silent, not wanting to add to the pressure. If there was one thing I had learned about Arc, it was that once his mind was made up, nothing could change it.

After the nurse came in to take Arc's measurements for the brace, she asked us to step out of the room. Jihoon, with a quick nod, said he would go make the payment and left. I sat down in the hallway, feeling a mix of concern and helplessness. The quiet of the corridor made my thoughts swirl, and I tried to push them aside, focusing on what needed to be done.