Page 166 of Scarbound

“No. Don’t Duri me. He hit you because you went to an art lesson?”

“It wasn’t really a lesson. We were discussing Ji-Woo’s portfolio and my paintings.”

“That makes it worse!”

“I know.”

The words stopped Duri.

Noeul slowly pushed himself upright against the headboard. “I know,” he repeated. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Duri stared at him.

Noeul’s eyes filled before he could stop them. “I went there because I wanted to help Ji-Woo. Because I wanted to do something with Haneul’s paintings. I was happy, Duri. For maybe an hour, I was actually happy.” His voice cracked. “And he came there and made me ashamed of it.”

Duri said nothing.

Noeul wiped his eyes angrily. “I’m so tired.”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t.”

“You’re right.”

The simple answer made Noeul look at him.

Duri moved closer but stopped before touching him. “Can I?”

Noeul stared at the space between them. Then nodded.

Duri wrapped his arms around him. Noeul rested his forehead against Duri’s shoulder.

“I made a decision last night,” Noeul whispered.

“What decision?”

“I can’t keep doing this with Chung-Hee.”

Duri’s arms tightened around him for a fraction of a second. Noeul noticed.

“I don’t know what happens next,” he continued. “I work for his company. He has access to my apartment. He’s everywhere.” He shut his eyes. “And part of me still feels guilty for leaving him alone with everything he’s carrying.”

“Hyung, you can’t stay with someone because you’re afraid of what will happen to them if you leave.”

Noeul gave a weak laugh. “That’s easy to say. And what if he hurts himself?”

Duri was silent for a moment.

“Then he needs help you can’t give him.”

Noeul lifted his head.

Duri brushed the tears from beneath his eye. “You can care about him and still leave.”

Noeul stared at him.

Could he?