Page 245 of Scarbound

Dr. Daniels looked back at Noeul. “Mr. Jung?”

No response.

“Noeul.”

His eyes shifted faintly.

“I’m finished touching you tonight.”

Noeul stared at him. “Finished?”

“Yes.”

Dr. Daniels closed his medical bag. “No more examination tonight.”

For several seconds, Noeul didn’t move. Then his shoulders dropped by the smallest amount.

Duri saw it. So did Ji-Woo.

When Dr. Daniels finished, he left pain medication with careful instructions and wrote down exactly what Ji-Woo and Duri needed to watch for during the night. He also spoke privately with Dr. Kim again.

By the time he returned to the bedroom, Noeul had drifted farther away. He seemed awake, but not entirely present. His gaze rested somewhere beyond the room, his body curled beneath the blanket.

Dr. Daniels stood near the doorway. “He may look as though he’s listening,” he said quietly, “but don’t assume he’s processing everything you say.”

Duri nodded.

“Don’t ask him to explain what happened tonight.”

“We won’t.”

“Don’t test his memory either. If he recognizes you, good. If he doesn’t, tell him who you are and leave it there.”

Ji-Woo looked at his brother. “He keeps forgetting.”

“I know.”

“Will that stop?”

Dr. Daniels hesitated.

Ji-Woo looked at him sharply. “I need the truth.”

“The periods when he stares through you may be dissociation caused by severe psychological shock,” Dr. Daniels said. “But exhaustion, dehydration, and the head injury can also affect attention and memory. I can’t separate them completely tonight, which is why we continue monitoring him.”

Ji-Woo’s face tightened. “So, you don’t know.”

“Not yet.”

Dr. Daniels continued. “For tonight, reduce stimulation. Keep the room quiet. One person talking at a time. Let him sleep but continue checking him as I instructed.”

“And tomorrow?”

“We reassess.”

Ji-Woo swallowed. “Will he be okay?”

Dr. Daniels didn’t rush the answer. “I don’t know what recovery will look like yet.”