Anna sat numbly in the chair as Namjoon tried to explain. Her brain did not seem to be registering anything he was saying.

Namjoon breathed in and out. "We went out three years ago. She wanted us to get married, but I was not in the right headspace for that back then. I should've told you more about my past. I just didn't want to lose you."

"You should've told me."

"Yes, I know. But Sylvie never told me about a baby when we broke up. I heard later that she'd lost her modeling contract and was having a difficult time, but she never reached out to me. It was probably my fault. I told her that I wanted nothing more to do with her, and I'd started seeing other women—many other women." He glanced at Anna's face then looked away. "That's something I should've told you." He shook his head angrily. "I should've...should've told you the truth about my past. I'm not proud of myself. I'm sorry. I'm...sorry—"

"Calm down." Anna squeezed his hand. "Look. You're getting upset. Let me call the doctor. We can continue talking after he checks you. Okay?" At his nod, she got to her feet and left the room. She flagged down a nurse and told her that Namjoon was awake. The nurse immediately paged the doctor, and Anna slumped against the wall.

She still didn't understand what was going on. What did the text have to do with talking to the police? Why was Namjoon insisting he would not tell the police about what happened? She shuffled to a nearby bank of chairs and slumped down, holding her head in her hands. What reputation was he talking about? She felt clueless and stupid. Someone somewhere had to know. Who could explain to her?

"Anna, are you okay?"

She jerked her head up. "What are you doing here?"

Seokjin eased himself into the chair next to her. His clothing was rumpled, and his hair was standing up in parts. "I was concerned about you. I'm sure you haven't gotten any sleep since I last spoke to you. You're not doing yourself..." he paused slightly, "...or Namjoon any good if you are practically passing out."

She gave a muffled snort and returned her gaze to her feet.

"I also want to apologize for what happened. It was all my fault. I never should have forced myself on you," he said in a whisper. "It was a completely disgusting thing to do on my part. You don't have to feel bad about anything. You can...you can tell Namjoon it was all me. I really am sorry for being such a jerk."

Anna sat up straighter and turned to look at him. "Jin."

"I hope in time you can forgive every asshole move of mine. I can't believe I just keep adding to my debt. I'm not a good person, Anna. I'm not the Seokjin you remember. You are much better off with someone else." He inhaled deeply. "I'm afraid that I'm damaged goods. As much as I'd like to believe that I can be a loving, caring person again, maybe it's not in the cards. There are too many black spots on my soul. I can't drag you with me into that terrible dark place. You don't know, don't have any idea how far into darkness I've fallen. I'm ashamed. I've allowed myself to be turned into something I can't explain. Someone disgusting who'd fuck you senseless on your fiance's hospital bed. Even now my thoughts are—I'm sorry for forcing you to do that. I'm worthless."

"You didn't force me to do anything. Don't talk like that. You'll worry me," she broke in, not liking the resignation in his voice.

"Don't worry about me," he replied. "I'll still be around if you ever need me. I would do anything for you. I won't expect anything in return. You don't owe me anything, not even friendship. Just please allow me to exist in the perimeter of your world." His dark eyes looked into hers pleadingly. "I will never speak to you unless you speak to me first. I will leave everything in your hands. Just please don't completely disappear from my life. You're the only bright spot in it."

She sighed and clapped her hand over his as it rested on his knee. "We'll always be friends, Jin. I wouldn't want it any other way. You don't have to become my slave. What happened wasn't only on you. I don't need you to beg. But there is something you can do for me now."

"Anything." He replied so quickly that he almost spoke over her.

She squeezed his hand. "Tell me everything you know or have heard about Kim Namjoon."