Page 258 of Scarbound

Noeul seemed satisfied with that.

His eyes closed again.

When Dr. Daniels left the room to speak privately with Ji-Woo, Duri remained beside the bed. Noeul still held his hand.

Neither spoke.

Eventually, the door opened slightly.

Yujin appeared.

She looked at Duri first.

Duri nodded.

She entered carrying the tray from earlier. The juk was still warm.

“I reheated it,” she said.

Noeul opened his eyes.

Yujin placed it on the nightstand. “You don’t have to eat.”

Noeul stared at the bowl.

“I know.”

Yujin smiled. “Good.”

She sat in the chair near the window. Not beside him. Not close enough to make him feel watched.

For several minutes, no one spoke.

Noeul eventually looked toward the food again. Then at Duri.

“Hungry?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s okay.”

Noeul reached for the spoon. His hand shook.

Yujin stood automatically.

Then stopped herself.

Noeul noticed.

She smiled awkwardly. “Sorry. Mother reflex.”

He picked up the spoon. The first mouthful took effort. He swallowed. Waited. Then took another.

Yujin looked away deliberately, pretending to straighten something on the table.

After several spoonfuls, Noeul stopped.

“Enough.”