Page 73 of Scarbound

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On the fourth day, Ji-Woo decided silence was no longer an option.

He sat beside Noeul on the couch. The air between them felt heavy with everything that had gone unsaid. Ji-Woo studied his brother’s face. It was too still. Too empty.

After a long breath, he placed a hand on Noeul’s shoulder. “Hyung… we need to talk about what happened,” he said gently. “I’m really worried about you.”

Noeul inhaled slowly and pressed his fingers against his temples, as if trying to hold himself together. “I can’t have this conversation.”

“I know you don’t want to,” Ji-Woo replied. “But pretending it didn’t happen won’t make it disappear. What he’s doing to you… it isn’t okay. He’s manipulative,” Ji-Woo continued. “Abusive. I’ve seen it with my own eyes now. I won’t let him control you anymore. But I need your help, hyung. I need you to want to be safe.”

Noeul’s expression tightened. “You don’t understand.” His voice was brittle. “Chung-Hee hyung has been through hell. He’s broken. Just like me. I pushed him. I shouldn’t have let Duri get close. But having him in my life… it isn’t as bad as you think.”

Ji-Woo lowered his head for a moment.

“No.” His voice came out sharper than he intended. “No, hyung. It is that bad.”

Noeul looked up, startled.

“You keep defending him!” Ji-Woo burst out. “Every single time!”

He stood abruptly and began pacing across the room, struggling to steady his breathing. “He controls who you see. He controls where you go. He hurts you whenever you don’t do exactly what he wants.” His voice cracked. “And after everything… you’re still making excuses for him.”

Ji-Woo laughed bitterly, running a hand through his hair. “What does he have to do before you admit this isn’t love?”

Noeul looked away, his jaw tightening. “You can’t understand what binds us. We’re trapped in the same past, Ji-Woo.” His voice grew softer. “He needs me.”

A long pause followed.

“And I…” His lips trembled. “I need him.”

Ji-Woo froze. Slowly, he walked back and knelt in front of Noeul, placing both hands gently on his knees.

“I’m sorry.” His own voice trembled now. “I shouldn’t have shouted. I just…” His words caught in his throat. “I don’t know how to save you anymore.”

Noeul finally looked at him. Ji-Woo’s eyes were red. He had never seen his little brother look so helpless.

“Don’t let anyone convince you that pain is love,” Ji-Woo whispered, shaking his head. “Please.”

He swallowed hard. “The bruises. The way he talks to you. The way he makes you feel guilty for existing.” He squeezed Noeul’s knee gently. “None of that is love. And what he does to you is not your fault.”

Noeul’s eyes filled with tears that refused to fall.

“What happened to him happened because of me,” he whispered. “The way he treats me… that’s how he feels about me.” His voice broke. “He hates me. And maybe he should.”

He lowered his head. “Maybe I’d hate myself too. I don’t deserve forgiveness… not yet.”

A sob escaped before he could stop it.

Ji-Woo tightened his grip. “How long are you going to keep blaming yourself for everything?” His eyes filled with tears. “Gong chose to abuse Haneul. You didn’t make him do it. And you didn’t make Haneul die.”

He waited until Noeul looked at him again.

“You survived. That doesn’t mean you owe everyone your suffering.”

“I’m scared,” he admitted.

The words barely rose above a whisper.