Page 103 of Scarbound

He knew. He chose his brother.

Then Haneul’s final words followed.

I don’t think Noeul knows. Please don’t blame him.

Chung-Hee looked down at Noeul’s sleeping face. A third voice joined them.

I didn’t kill Haneul.

For years, Chung-Hee had silenced the voices that threatened his certainty. That night, for the first time, he could no longer decide which one he believed.

CHAPTER 38

Chung-Hee lifted Noeul carefully and carried him to the bedroom. He laid him on the bed with meticulous care, pulled the blanket over him, and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. Noeul’s face looked peaceful in sleep, almost untouched by everything that had happened.

Chung-Hee knew better.

His gaze lingered on him before he finally turned away and walked toward the kitchen. He paused outside the doorway and took a long breath, preparing himself for the conversation he had known was waiting.

His mother sat at the table with a drink in her hand. She set the glass down with a sharp clink.

“Is this what you wanted to show me, my son?” she asked. “Is that why you called me here tonight?”

Chung-Hee said nothing at first. He walked toward the refrigerator, took out the wine bottle, and poured himself a glass. Then he laughed bitterly.

“Exactly.”

Ms. Lee’s expression hardened.

“Didn’t you enjoy the show?” he asked. “Did I hurt him enough for you? Or would you prefer me to be harsher next time?”

“Chung-Hee.”

“Should I let him die?”

Her face changed.

Chung-Hee lifted the glass to his lips. “But understand one thing, mother. If he dies, I will follow him.”

Ms. Lee stared at him. She had known her son had never been the same after Haneul’s death. She had watched him become colder, stricter, almost obsessively controlled. But this frightened her.

“My son…” Her voice softened. “What are you saying?”

Chung-Hee sat across from her. He felt disgusted with himself. Drained. Heavy with a sadness he no longer knew how to carry. He closed his eyes for several seconds, then emptied the glass in one swallow.

“I’m saying that I can’t lose him.”

Ms. Lee’s mouth tightened. “You will.”

Chung-Hee looked up. “What?”

“I will never accept this.”

His expression hardened. “I don’t need your acceptance.”

Ms. Lee shook her head. “His brother caused Haneul’s death.”

“His brother,” Chung-Hee corrected quietly. “Not him.”