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Hailee was walked back to her hospital room, Hyeok signing her back in and staying with her for a few moments to praise her on how well she did.
"Hailee this will help you a lot," he said patting her hand, "it's just a rough little bump in the road, and soon enough if we keep showing evidence that you were a victim and how this has effected you show, they will support you so much."
Hailee nodded, her heart felt heavy. Almost as if she could feel it cracking and dropping down in her chest.
"Hailee," Hyeok said after a long period of silence. "I know you might not like this idea, but-"
"Then why are you telling me," she said looking up, Hyeok's eyes holding worry.
"Because I think it's a good option," he said, "even the ceo agreed."
Hailee sighed. She knew that he would push the idea until she heard it, and possibly agreed. Depending on how much distaste she held for it, she would either agree or disagree. It couldn't be too bad, right?
She looked down, her actions letting her manager know it was ok to continue.
"I think it's best to explain your situation," he said.
"Didn't I already," she said, her throat closing up as she really knew what he meant.
"Well yes, but no," he said, full well knowing Hailee was understanding at what he was getting at. He continued despite this.
"I think its best to let the media know what Mark did," Hyeok said, "in terms, throw him under the bus. He's an idol, it would be easy to do so, and if you keep playing the victim card-"
"I'm not going to use the victim to my advantage to ruin someone's career and help fuel my success," she interrupted, "even if he was or wasn't my soulmate."
"Hailee listen to me," Hyeok said standing, "Mark is technically at fault for this whole mess. If he didn't reject you when you were 18, then you wouldn't be here, this whole mess wouldn't have happened. If you say he rejected you, and Jaehyeon came in at a time where you were vulnerable they would totally take your side, even the people against you. Mark is technically at fault here."
"I don't care," she said, "I wouldn't have this job if it wasn't for Mark either. And anyways Nct's fanbase is a bit... obsessive at times, I've seen it in person. They would come after me as well. Yes technically everything you said is right, but I would never blame Mark.
I chose to use Jaehyeon for my own healing when I knew he wasn't my soulmate and that he was vulnerable as well. I used him to get back at Mark, to fill up the patch in my heart when I knew Mark didn't outrightly reject me. He said maybe in the future, I was the one who gave up on him. If anything there is no one else to blame but me."
Hyeok was a bit shocked. Closing his gaping mouth he sighed and shook his head.
"Hailee you are a beautiful, smart, young lady," he said turning around before catching a glimpse of who was waiting outside.
He narrowed his eyes before glancing back at the young model.
"I hope you will come to your senses," he continued, "and realize that being the 'good guy' in this industry, won't always bring you the success you strive for. Sometimes you need to knock down people to get up, even if it someone who is your soulmate. His job is not your concern, remember this."
With that Hyeok walked out and closed the door, the window blinds open as Hailee stared at the ceiling. She would never betray Mark like that, she could never betray anyone like that. She needed to take fault just as reporters had said. She needed to take responsibility and make sure Mark was not pulled into this mess.
The door opened and Hailee turned her head in surprise.
"I told you I'd see you later," he said smiling as he held a bag of fried chicken.
"Mark you are an angel," she said as a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," he said before bringing out a smaller container holding cut up watermelon cubes.
"Be thankful, this was the last of the watermelon."
"Wow," she laughed, "I feel so special."
Mark gave her a toothy grin before setting down the food and pulling over a chair as Hailee sat up.
"You make me feel SpEcIaL-"
"Mark I swear to god-"
The two broke out in laughter as Hailee realized the question she had been asking wasn't totally true.
She had been asking why she was alone, was anyone else out there who felt like this or dealt with this. The talk she had from earlier with Mark had started to answer this, but now she didn't need to ask.
Hailee wasn't alone, she never was, she just needed to find the other person who had felt lonely despite everyone who had been surrounding them.
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