Page 191 of Scarbound

“Please.”

The word escaped Chung-Hee before he could stop it.

Noeul looked at him, wild-eyed and shaking. “I can’t stay here. Don’t you understand?”

“I understand.”

“No, you don’t.” His voice rose. “You knew what Gong did. You knew, and you still came into my life.”

Chung-Hee went silent.

“Why? Why did you come near me?”

Noeul pulled his wrist free. “How am I supposed to look at you now and not think about Haneul? How am I supposed to look at myself?”

His hand went to his face again.

“I look exactly like him.”

“You are not him.”

“But everyone else saw him when they looked at me.”

Chung-Hee had no answer.

Noeul’s voice dropped. “And you did too.”

Chung-Hee’s face changed.

Noeul stared at him through tears. “What kind of life was I supposed to have after that?” His breathing trembled. “I already hated myself before I knew.” He swallowed hard. “What am I supposed to do with this now?”

He turned toward the door. Chung-Hee caught his arm.

“Noeul.”

“Let go.”

“Not like this.”

Noeul twisted away, but Chung-Hee tightened his grip.

“Let go of me.”

“You’re barely standing.”

“I don’t care.”

“Noeul, stop!”

“I said let go!”

He shoved Chung-Hee hard enough to break free and ran for the door. Chung-Hee caught him before he reached it. Noeul’s back struck the wall.

“Don’t run from me.”

The words came out sharper than Chung-Hee intended.

Noeul stared at him. Something in his expression changed. Not fear. Recognition.