Who would ever believe him?
Josiah wouldn't. And his fans... they definitely wouldn't.
Speaking of his fans.
Clive's phone vibrated violently against his palm. The screen flashed relentlessly, a glaring reminder that his diagnosis was tearing the internet apart.
Ever since the media broke the story, his DMs and comment sections had been obliterated by furious fans and savage onlookers.
The bright red "999+" notification stabbed at his eyes.
Back when Clive had first been forced to step away from the limelight, he had a few scandals attached to his name, but nothing unforgivable. He still had a legion of die-hard, delusional fans who worshipped the ground he walked on.
They had spent months battling the trolls in comment sections, desperately trying to clear his name, clinging to the fantasy that one day, he would make a grand comeback.
Instead of a comeback tour, they got this.
When the news first dropped, his most loyal supporters assumed it was just another malicious rumor.
Initially, his DMs were sprinkled with panicked but hopeful messages.
"Clive! The trending topic is a lie, right? Someone is just trying to drag you down!"
"Please say something! We believe you! Just post a quick denial!"
"Waiting for your explanation. We'll stand by you no matter what!"
But as the hours ticked by and Clive remained completely silent, the narrative shifted. Locals and hospital staff started leaking testimonies, confirming they had seen him at the infectious disease center multiple times. He had been sick for a while.
The adoration instantly morphed into pure, unadulterated hatred.

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