Page 251 of Scarbound

Yujin didn’t seem offended. “My name is Kang Yujin. I’m Duri’s mother. You’re in my home.”

“Eomma.”

Yujin froze.

Duri looked down.

Noeul frowned immediately, confused by his own word. “I’m sorry.”

“No.” Yujin’s voice softened. “You don’t have anything to apologize for.”

She lifted the tray slightly. “I made juk. Plain. There’s nothing strong in it.”

Noeul stared at the bowl. His stomach tightened.

“I don’t want it.”

“That’s all right.”

The answer came so easily that he looked at her.

Yujin placed the tray on a small table away from the bed. “You don’t have to eat it. I’ll leave it here in case you change your mind.”

She added a second bottle of water. “And some tea. Duri told me you like coffee, but Dr. Daniels said we should keep things simple for now.”

Noeul’s gaze moved toward the tray again. “No coffee?”

Duri looked at him. “Later.”

Instead, she placed a folded pile of clothes on the chair. “These are Duri’s. They’re clean. You can use them whenever you want.”

Noeul looked down at himself beneath the blanket. His expression changed.

Yujin immediately turned toward the door. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

“Thank you,” Duri said.

She paused. “Noeul?”

He looked at her.

“You don’t need permission to ask for anything in this house. Food. Water. Quiet. A locked door. Whatever you need.”

Noeul stared at her.

Yujin gave him a small smile. Then left.

Dr. Daniels returned shortly after nine. This time, Noeul was awake when he entered. Duri sat beside the window. Ji-Woo remained near the door, holding a cup of coffee he hadn’t touched. Yujin stayed outside.

Dr. Daniels pulled a chair toward the bed rather than standing over Noeul. “Good morning, Noeul.”

Noeul looked at him.

“Do you remember me?”

Noeul frowned. “A doctor.”

“That’s enough.”