Page 224 of Scarbound

Ji-Woo stared at him. “I need to see him.”

“Not yet.”

“He’s my brother.”

“I know.” Duri tightened his grip. “Ji-Woo, listen to me. He’s alive. But he’s hurt. Badly.”

Ji-Woo’s face crumpled. “I need to go to him.”

“You will. But I need the key first.”

Ji-Woo looked toward the bedroom door. Tears spilled down his face. Duri lowered his voice. “Please. Give me one minute.”

Ji-Woo nodded, barely. Duri turned to Chung-Hee. “Where’s the key?”

Chung-Hee said nothing.

“Give it to me.”

“No.”

Duri pulled out his phone. “Then the police and paramedics can get it from you.”

Chung-Hee’s expression changed. “He’s not leaving.”

Jun stared at him. “Chung-Hee…”

“He’s mine!”

Jun flinched as though the words had struck him. “No,” he said quietly. “He isn’t.”

Chung-Hee’s eyes filled. “You don’t understand.”

“I understand what I saw when that door opened.” Jun stepped closer. “I understand that Noeul is injured and needs medical help.”

“He’ll leave me.”

The words came out broken.

Jun stared at his friend. “Yes,” he said.

Chung-Hee went still.

Jun’s voice softened, but he didn’t take the words back. “He probably will.”

Tears slipped down Chung-Hee’s face. “I can’t.”

“You have to.”

Duri was already dialing emergency services. Chung-Hee lunged for the phone, but Duri pulled back.

“Don’t.”

“You’re trying to take him from me!”

Chung-Hee grabbed him. Ji-Woo moved instantly, but Jun reached Chung-Hee first, wrenching him away from Duri.

“Enough!”