Page 67 of Scarbound

“Mr. Choi, you may leave now. I’ll take care of Noeul from here on. Ji-Woo, will you be staying with your brother tonight?” he asked, accepting a glass of water from Mr. Choi before the caretaker reluctantly left the apartment.

“I will,” Ji-Woo replied with a nod.

“I’m glad to hear that.” A faint smile crossed Chung-Hee’s face.

Ji-Woo’s expression tightened. Chung-Hee’s smile wasn’t reassuring. If anything, it looked calculating.

“Go to the convenience store and buy a bottle of soju. The most expensive one you can find.” Chung-Hee took a card from his wallet and handed it over. “Take something for yourself and your brother as well.”

Ji-Woo hesitated, glancing at Noeul. “I think it’s better if I stay here. There’s beer in the fridge if you want a drink. Next time we can buy soju together.”

Chung-Hee slowly turned toward Noeul. Their eyes met. Noeul understood immediately. If Ji-Woo refused to leave, Chung-Hee would take it out on him.

“It’s okay, Ji-Woo,” Noeul said quietly. “You should respect his wishes. Go.”

Ji-Woo opened his mouth as if to protest. Instead, he lowered his head, took the keys, and left.

***

By the time he reached the convenience store, he was out of breath. He bought only the bottle of soju before immediately running back.

Please let him be okay.

The thought echoed through his mind with every step.

A few minutes later, he unlocked the apartment door.

Silence.

His heart dropped.

Noeul was gone. So was Chung-Hee. Broken objects lay scattered across the floor. Noeul’s phone rested on the bed, his shoes still by the entrance.

“Hyung?”

No answer.

Ji-Woo rushed into the hallway and pounded on Rei’s apartment door.

Nothing.

“Think… Think, Ji-Woo… Where would he take him?”

With trembling hands, he dialed Duri.

“They’re gone!” he shouted the moment the call connected.

“What do you mean?” Duri asked immediately.

“Chung-Hee sent me to the store… I thought… I thought hyung would be safe. It only took five minutes. Now they’re gone! Duri… what do I do?”

A brief silence followed. “Call Noeul.”

“It’s useless. His phone’s here.”

“What about Chung-Hee’s phone?”

“I don’t have his number. Maybe father does. Or Mr. Choi. Or the bodyguards next door.” Ji-Woo paused before adding quietly, “I don’t know where Mr. Choi lives, and the neighbors aren’t here. Should I ask father?”