Page 360 of Scarbound

Ji-Woo complained while fixing his hair, but his smile betrayed him.

Noeul greeted his mother and father before settling beside Duri. Food arrived quickly, followed by soju, stories, teasing, and the kind of arguments that existed only between people who knew they would still love one another afterward.

At one point, Noeul looked around the table.

His parents. Ji-Woo. Yujin. Duri beside him.

There would always be people missing.

Gong.

Haneul.

Under the table, Duri touched his knee. Noeul covered his hand with his own.

“There’s something we want to tell you,” Noeul said.

Ji-Woo immediately narrowed his eyes. “What did you do?”

“Why do you automatically assume I did something?”

“Experience.”

Noeul glared at him. Duri laughed.

“Can we tell them?”

“Fine.”

Noeul reached into his jacket and removed two envelopes, placing one in front of his parents and the other in front of Yujin.

His mother opened hers first. Her hand flew to her mouth.

“Noeul…”

Ji-Woo leaned over her shoulder. His eyes widened.

“No fucking way.”

“Language!” Noeul snapped automatically.

“You’re getting married?”

The entire table erupted. Yujin grabbed Duri first, pulling him into her arms before immediately reaching across for Noeul. His mother was already crying. His father stared at the invitation twice as though checking that he had read it correctly.

Noeul laughed. “Yes. We’re getting married.”

“When?” Ji-Woo demanded.

“Next month.”

“Next month?”

“We’re going to the United States for the ceremony,” Duri explained. “Just for the wedding and honeymoon. Then we’re coming home.”

Noeul glanced around the table. “This is our home.”

His gaze stopped briefly on Ji-Woo before moving to Yujin, then his parents.