Page 63 of Scarbound

His fingers moved before he could stop them, brushing a strand of black hair away from Noeul’s face.

“You have no idea,” Duri whispered.

He bent down and pressed the lightest kiss to Noeul’s temple. Then his gaze fell to Noeul’s mouth.

For one stupid, drunken second, he wanted to know.

Duri stopped himself so sharply it hurt.

He pulled back, ashamed. He tightened his arms around him only long enough to make sure Noeul would not slip from the sofa, then closed his eyes.

Morning came quietly.

The door opened, and Mr. Choi stepped inside… and stopped.

His gaze swept across the living room before settling on the couch.

Noeul and Duri were asleep in each other’s arms, the blanket tangled around them.

Mr. Choi’s expression changed.

Before he could say anything, a voice sounded behind him.

“What’s the hold-up? Are we coming in or not?”

CHAPTER 26

It was still early morning when Mr. Choi quietly turned the key and opened the door to Noeul’s studio. Rei was with him, following Chung-Hee’s instructions to check on Noeul before heading to the office.

Seeing Mr. Choi open the door, Rei followed him inside.

Tiptoeing, Mr. Choi stepped inside. His eyes scanned the room before settling on the large couch, and a smile spread across his face.

Noeul slept peacefully in Duri’s arms, his expression calm and content. For the first time since Mr. Choi had started caring for him, he saw Noeul sleeping deeply, without tossing or turning.

But he wasn’t alone. Mr. Choi’s smile faded. How would Rei react when he saw this? He paused at the entrance, desperately searching for an excuse to avoid the inevitable.

A male voice snapped him back to reality.

“What’s the hold-up? Are we coming in or not?”

Mr. Choi walked forward and quietly placed his belongings on the kitchen counter.

Rei frowned the moment he noticed the two men asleep on the couch.

“Mr. Choi, I have to go,” Rei said, his voice firm but touched with concern.

“Please, don’t tell Mr. Lee. They’re just sleeping. They’re clothed; they were clearly drunk and fell asleep on the couch.” Mr. Choi took a deep breath.

Rei’s expression remained unchanged.

“I can’t. I’m sorry.”

“Please…” Mr. Choi lowered his voice. “Every morning I hear him talking in his sleep. Sweat covers his forehead. This is the first time I’ve seen him sleep peacefully. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”

Rei sighed and shifted uncomfortably.

“You don’t know Mr. Lee. He’ll destroy me if I hide this. I’m sorry. I can’t.”