Page 111 of Scarbound

“You gave me the same answer when we talked about Haneul’s death.”

Noeul’s expression tightened.

“You were a teenager trying to predict another teenager’s moods, protect his friends from him, calm him, and protect yourself.”

“He was sick.”

“Yes.” The answer came without hesitation. “And?”

Noeul frowned. “And what?”

“Does his illness make what happened to you less real?”

Noeul immediately looked away. “No.”

“Does it make it acceptable?”

“No.”

“Does it mean you were responsible for preventing it?”

Noeul’s jaw tightened. “I could usually calm him.”

“That isn’t what I asked.”

Noeul closed his eyes. “No.”

Dr. Kim waited.

Noeul swallowed. “No. I wasn’t responsible.” The words sounded unfamiliar in his mouth.

Dr. Kim didn’t congratulate him. She simply nodded.

Noeul looked down at the ring around his neck. “He cried afterward.”

“I know.”

“And I still loved him.”

“I know.”

Noeul’s voice grew smaller. “Sometimes I think that’s the part I hate most about myself.”

Dr. Kim studied him. “That you loved your brother?”

“That I loved someone who hurt me.”

Dr. Kim was quiet for a moment. “Those are not mutually exclusive experiences.”

Noeul looked at her.

“Someone can hurt you and still be someone you love,” Dr. Kim continued. “That doesn’t make the harm love.”

Noeul went still.

“And loving the person who hurt you does not make you responsible for what they did.”

For several seconds, Noeul said nothing. Then his gaze dropped to the ring again. “That was only the beginning.” Noeul turned the ring once between his fingers. “The first of many.”