Page 144 of Scarbound

Jealousy. Fear. Possession.

Even he no longer seemed able to tell where one ended and another began.

“Let’s go,” he repeated, pulling again.

“No.”

Noeul shoved his hand away. The movement surprised all three of them.

Noeul’s voice trembled, but not from fear this time. “This is about Ji-Woo.” He gestured toward the portfolio. “And Haneul.”

Chung-Hee’s face changed slightly at his brother’s name.

“I need this,” Noeul continued. “I want this. Do you understand?”

Chung-Hee said nothing.

“You always misunderstand me. Back then and now. Everyone assumes the worst.” His eyes filled. “I didn’t come here to find another man. I came for advice. For knowledge.”

He pointed toward the photographs on the table. “I’m trying to help my brother get into university. I’m trying to do something with the paintings I made for Haneul.” His voice broke. “For once, I’m trying to build something instead of destroy it.”

The room went silent.

Noeul swallowed hard. “If you don’t trust me, then stay. Sit there. Watch us.”

A pause.

“But I’m not leaving.”

His voice became quieter. “I need this exhibition.”

For half a second, Chung-Hee’s hand fell away. Relief moved through Noeul. Chung-Hee understood. Noeul had come for Ji-Woo and Haneul, not for Kija. But understanding removed the justification for control without removing his need for it. When Noeul still refused to obey, Chung-Hee chose authority over the truth.

Then came the sharp crack.

Pain exploded across his face. Noeul stumbled and fell hard against the floor. For several seconds, he didn’t understand what had happened. His cheek burned. His ears rang.

He slowly looked up.

Chung-Hee had slapped him.

Again.

“I told you,” Chung-Hee said coldly, “you do not disrespect me.”

Kija didn’t move. He simply stared. The man standing in front of him did not look like the Chung-Hee he knew.

Noeul remained on the floor. Shame burned hotter than the pain in his face. Being hurt in private had been unbearable.

But this was different. Someone had seen. Someone outside the family. Someone Noeul admired. The humiliation had nowhere to hide.

Chung-Hee reached down and grabbed him by the hair.

Kija moved immediately. “Chung-Hee, stop!”

Noeul cried out as Chung-Hee pulled him upright.

“You’ve misunderstood everything,” Kija said. “Let him go.”