Page 58 of Scarbound

“Because he needed help.”

“And what did you believe would happen if he didn’t receive it?”

Noeul looked away. “He would get worse. He might hurt Ji-Woo.” His voice lowered. “Or himself.”

“So were you only trying to protect Ji-Woo?”

Noeul’s chest tightened.

“…Both.” The answer came almost immediately. “I think…” His voice grew quieter. “I think I was already trying to save both of them.”

Dr. Kim studied him. “How old were you?”

“Sixteen.”

“Sixteen,” she repeated softly. “And you believed keeping both of your brothers safe was your responsibility.”

Noeul didn’t answer.

CHAPTER 25

Ji-Woo stared at his phone. It was Noeul. Nearly three weeks had passed since Noeul moved into the apartment. They hadn’t spoken for days, ever since their last difficult conversation, when his brother had tried to rebuild what had been broken between them. A few minutes earlier, he had sent Ji-Woo a message inviting him to his new apartment.

Part of Ji-Woo wanted to go. The other, the part scarred by years of abandonment, laughed bitterly. After a long moment, he pressed the call button. The ringing echoed in his ears until Noeul answered.

“Ji-Woo?”

Hope filled his voice, completely at odds with its usual roughness.

“Hey,” Ji-Woo murmured. The word caught in his throat.

“You know…” Noeul hesitated. “I know things between us are still difficult.” He let out a quiet breath. “But I’m still getting used to living on my own again. It’s quieter than I expected.”

Ji-Woo listened in silence. The awkwardness settled heavily between them.

“Yeah?”

“I was wondering if you’d like to come see it.” Noeul’s voice grew a little lighter. “I bought a new game console. We could try it out together.”

Ji-Woo hesitated. Was this a genuine attempt to rebuild their relationship? Or just another promise that wouldn’t last?

“Okay.”

A pause.

“When?”

Relief poured into Noeul’s voice. “Really? Great. How about Saturday night? Around seven?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay. See you then.”

The call ended.

***

Noeul lowered the phone slowly. Hope and unease twisted together inside him. Maybe this was the beginning, a chance to build a bridge across years of silence.