Page 282 of Scarbound

“One week,” Duri repeated. “Use it to decide what you want. Not what you think is best for me.”

Noeul studied him.

“Okay.”

Duri exhaled. “One week.”

“One week.”

Noeul hesitated, then reached for his hand.

Duri took it. This time, neither of them needed to ask why.

***

Later, Noeul went to bed early.

Duri returned to the kitchen, where Yujin was pouring herself a glass of wine.

She took out a second glass.

Duri looked at it. “Are you trying to get me drunk, eomma?”

Yujin paused, then put the second glass away. “Fine.”

Duri gave her a look. “Excellent parenting.”

“I raised you in Germany.”

“That explains a lot.”

Yujin rolled her eyes. Duri sat across from her. For a while, neither spoke.

Then he said, “He’s going to leave.”

Yujin took a sip. “Yes.”

Duri looked down at the table. “I know I’m supposed to say I understand.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I do understand.” He swallowed. “I just hate it.”

Duri gave her a tired look. Yujin smiled faintly, then her expression softened.

“You have to let him go if that’s what he chooses. Not because he needs to become someone worthy of you.”

Duri looked at her. “He already is.”

“I know that too.” Yujin set down her glass. “But he needs to learn that his life belongs to him.”

Duri looked down. “What if he realizes he doesn’t need me?”

Yujin smiled sadly. “My son.”

Duri looked at her.

“You don’t want him to need you.”