Page 274 of Scarbound

“Nothing.”

“Don’t make it weird.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Duri headed toward his room, then stopped. “Hyung?”

Noeul looked up.

“Think about what you just said.”

Noeul’s hand closed around Gong’s ring. They weren’t mine either.

Duri didn’t explain. He didn’t need to. Then he disappeared down the hall to get ready.

Noeul remained at the kitchen counter, alone with his coffee and the words he had finally managed to say aloud. Gong’s choices weren’t mine.

Noeul closed his eyes. His pain wasn’t bringing anyone back. It wasn’t protecting anyone. It wasn’t atonement. It was only pain.

He had suffered enough. Now, he had to heal.

CHAPTER 60

So he chose to begin with something small.

“Mrs. Kang, may I help?”

Kang Yujin looked up from the vegetables she was preparing for dinner. She hesitated. “Duri told me you’re supposed to rest.”

“But you’ll be done before he gets back,” Noeul protested gently.

Yujin studied him.

“That’s true,” she admitted. “Are you sure you feel strong enough to help?”

“Yes.” A spark of excitement entered his voice. “I love cooking. I was always the one in charge of meals at home.”

“Were you?”

“Yes.”

“Then perhaps I’ve been wasting valuable talent.”

Noeul smiled faintly. Yujin handed him a basket of vegetables.

“Start with these. Please wash them for me.”

The task disappointed him slightly. He looked from the vegetables to her. “That’s all?”

“For now.”

Noeul narrowed his eyes. “You don’t trust me.”

“I’ve known you for three weeks, Noeul. I don’t trust you with my kitchen yet.”

A small laugh escaped him. “Fair enough.”

Without complaint, he took the vegetables to the sink, filled a large bowl, and began washing them carefully. For a while, the kitchen rested in peaceful silence.

When he finished, Noeul dried his hands and turned toward her. “Mrs. Kang…”