Page 23 of Scarbound

“When did you understand what you were feeling?”

Noeul opened his eyes. “Not then. But looking back, that was the first time I fell in love.”

Dr. Kim didn’t interrupt.

“I’ve wondered many times whether it would’ve been easier if I’d never seen that photograph.” He smiled sadly. “I still don’t know the answer.”

“Do you think you fell in love with Chung-Hee,” Dr. Kim asked quietly, “or with what you imagined he could be?”

Noeul looked at her. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “Maybe both.”

CHAPTER 7

The blue glow of Chung-Hee’s phone lit the dark bedroom, pulling him abruptly from sleep. The silence lingered, broken only by the soft vibration of the phone. He knew exactly who it was. Jake. Without hesitation, he sat up and answered.

“Boss,” Jake’s anxious voice came through the line. “I’m sorry for calling so late. It’s just… something’s wrong with Noeul.”

“Explain.”

“Noeul resigned from the company. One of my people informed me.”

Chung-Hee went still. “What? When?”

“Today.”

Chung-Hee bit down hard on his lip.

Maybe I’ll join you soon.

The words from the cemetery echoed through his mind.

“On the anniversary of my brother’s death? That can’t be a coincidence. Where is he now?”

“He’s still at the company.”

“Good. Don’t lose him. Follow him at all costs. Send one of your men to get into his apartment and hide there. He might try to disappear or hurt himself.”

A beat of silence followed. “Are you serious?”

“Keep him safe, do you hear me? If anything happens to him, I won’t let this go.”

“Understood.”

For an entire year, Jake had sent Chung-Hee reports on Noeul: his isolation, his depression, his reliance on alcohol. More than once, Jake or one of his men had helped Noeul home after he collapsed drunk in a bar.

Chung-Hee continued with a strict voice. “Have a car ready. You might need to take him to the hospital.”

Chung-Hee never went back to bed. He paced the apartment as minutes turned into hours without news. By the time dawn painted the sky red and blue, he had already put his plan together.

The only thing left was to answer the next call. Noeul had to be alive. He had to be.

The call came as Chung-Hee was getting ready for work. His heart pounded as he pressed the green button.

“You were right, boss,” Jake said.

There was only one question.

“Is he alive?”