Page 101 of Scarbound

“I mean exactly what I said,” Chung-Hee replied, frighteningly calm. “You want to die? Sure, go ahead. I’m sick of seeing your fucking face. You’re right about that. But don’t blame me when I reunite all three brothers in the other world. Maybe I’ll bring your friend along too.”

“What?”

Chung-Hee smiled without humor.

Noeul stepped closer. “My younger brother? Duri?” His voice dropped. “You wouldn’t.”

“Look me in the eyes and tell me.” Chung-Hee moved closer until only a small distance remained between them. “Do I mean it, or don’t I?”

Noeul couldn’t answer.

“Do you really think you’re the only one losing his mind?” Chung-Hee demanded.

His voice began to crack.

“What do I have left of my past if not you?”

He lifted his sleeve slightly, exposing the bracelet.

“This?”

Then his eyes dropped to the ring hanging around Noeul’s neck.

“Or maybe your brother’s ring?”

Noeul instinctively closed his hand around it.

“Go ahead and leave, Noeul.” Chung-Hee’s eyes were wet now. “But if you leave me, I’ll take everything with me.”

“Stop.”

“What do you think your parents would do if they lost another son?”

“Hyung, stop.”

“And my mother?” Chung-Hee continued, almost as though he couldn’t hear him anymore. “I’m the only one she has left. What happens to her if I follow?”

“Stop!”

Noeul’s shout echoed through the apartment.

Chung-Hee fell silent.

Noeul stared at him, horrified. “What the hell are you saying? Are you going to blame me for everything?”

“Absolutely. Everything.”

Chung-Hee’s breathing grew uneven. “The pain. The shame. The guilt. The confusion.” His face twisted. “It’s all your fault.”

Noeul flinched.

“God, how badly I want to destroy that beautiful face of yours sometimes.”

Chung-Hee reached toward him, then stopped before touching his cheek.

“The same face.”

Noeul understood.