Page 195 of Scarbound

“Why does everything have to be this difficult?”

He hit the wall again.

“Why is loving me so impossible for you?”

Noeul looked at him. “Because this isn’t love.” His voice shook now, but he continued. “Love doesn’t make me afraid every time you enter a room.”

“Stop.”

“Love doesn’t make me calculate what I should say so you won’t hurt me.”

“I said stop.”

“Love doesn’t hold me against a wall when I try to leave.”

Chung-Hee’s breathing changed. Noeul saw it.

Danger.

For the first time, he listened to that instinct without arguing with himself. He took a step toward the living room.

“I’m leaving.”

“No.”

The word came cold and immediate.

Noeul stopped. Chung-Hee stepped between him and the door.

“You are not walking away from me.”

Noeul’s pulse hammered. “Move.”

“No.”

“Hyung.”

“If you leave now…”

“What?”

Chung-Hee stared at him. Something desperate and ugly surfaced beneath the grief.

“If you leave me, I’ll have nothing.”

Noeul swallowed. “That isn’t my responsibility.”

“You really mean that?”

“Yes.”

“You can just move on?”

“I’m trying to survive.”

“And what about me?”

Noeul stared at him.