Page 302 of Scarbound

“He said I was supposed to protect him.” Noeul’s eyes filled. “And that instead, I abandoned him.” A tear slipped down his face. “He said I betrayed him.”

Dr. Kim let the silence remain. Noeul wiped at his cheek. “I still hear it.”

“The words?”

“Yes.”

“Which ones?”

Noeul answered without looking at her. “‘You’re mine.’” Another tear. “‘Your body is mine.’”

Dr. Kim waited.

Noeul’s voice became almost inaudible. “I hate that sentence.”

“Why?”

Noeul looked at her sharply. “Because he meant it.”

Dr. Kim didn’t answer immediately.

Noeul’s jaw trembled. “He didn’t mean it metaphorically.” His hands tightened together. “He meant my body belonged to him.”

Dr. Kim nodded once.

Noeul’s eyes dropped. “And after everything he’d already done…” He stopped. The words became difficult. “Can I even call him just my brother after that?”

Dr. Kim didn’t rush to answer.

Noeul looked down at his hands. “He had been inside me.” The sentence came out flat. Almost detached. The room seemed to contract around it. “He was my twin.” His voice broke. “My brother.” Another pause. “And he still thought he had the right.”

Dr. Kim leaned slightly forward. “Did he?”

Noeul looked at her. “No.” The answer came quickly. Then his face changed as though he had surprised himself.

Dr. Kim said nothing.

Noeul swallowed. “No,” he repeated more quietly. “He didn’t.”

Silence.

“The nurse came in not long after that.” Noeul rubbed at his eyes. “She said our time was up.”

“What did you do?”

“I stood.” His gaze drifted. “My legs were shaking.” He gave a small laugh. “I wanted to say something before I left.”

“What?”

“I don’t know.” He looked frustrated. “Anything.”

“To repair what had happened?”

“Yes.”

“To reassure him?”

“Yes.”