Page 285 of Scarbound

“Yes.” Ji-Woo didn’t move closer. “I’m here.”

Noeul shook his head. “I can’t do this anymore.” His voice broke. “I can’t carry it.”

Ji-Woo’s eyes filled immediately. “Okay.”

Noeul stared at him, confused.

“I mean, I hear you.” His voice trembled badly, but he forced himself to keep it steady. “I know you’re hurting.”

Noeul’s grip tightened around the shard. “You don’t know.”

“No.” Ji-Woo shook his head. “I probably don’t.” He took a shaky breath. “But I want to.”

Noeul looked away.

Ji-Woo’s voice cracked. “Please don’t leave while I’m still trying to understand.”

Noeul’s hand trembled.

“I’m tired.”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t.”

“You’re right.” Ji-Woo wiped his face with one sleeve. “I don’t know what it feels like inside your head.”

Noeul’s breathing hitched.

“But I know I want you here.” Silence. “Not because Mom needs you. Not because Dad needs you. Not because I’ll fall apart if you leave.” Ji-Woo’s voice dropped. “Because you’re my brother.”

Noeul looked at him.

“And I love you.”

The glass lowered by barely an inch. Ji-Woo noticed, but he didn’t react. Didn’t move.

Noeul’s eyes went distant again. “You’re asking the wrong question.”

“What question?”

“What happens if I stay?”

Ji-Woo stared at him.

Noeul laughed once. There was no humor in it. “What happens when I keep waking up like this?” His hand shook. “When I look in the mirror and see him?” Ji-Woo said nothing. “When I’m scared of myself?”

Duri finally spoke. “Noeul hyung.”

Noeul’s eyes moved toward him.

“Can we call Dr. Kim?”

Something twisted in Noeul’s face. Then he laughed again, a broken, breathless sound.

“Of course.” He sank against the wall, the shard still in his hand.

Duri stayed still. “Of course you’d say that.”