Page 76 of Scarbound

The man who had abused him.

A notification buzzed on his phone.

I’ll be there in ten minutes. Let’s spend some time together.

Noeul stared at the message. Part of him wanted to call and scream at him, to let everything he had held inside finally spill out. Another part still hoped.

Maybe the cemetery had been the worst of it. Maybe Chung-Hee regretted going that far. Maybe he would apologize. Maybe, somehow, he would forgive him.

Before Noeul could question himself further, he was already getting dressed. He chose one of his most expensive outfits: navy trousers, a beige short-sleeved shirt, and a loose beige-and-brown overshirt layered on top. Four weeks after his second surgery, he could finally use his hands again, carefully.

He styled his hair, applied his perfume, then caught his reflection in the mirror. For a moment, he simply stared at himself.

Why am I doing this?

He had no answer.

Ten minutes later, Chung-Hee was waiting downstairs in his red sports car, different from the one he usually drove to and from work. The light blue shirt he wore accentuated his sun-tanned skin and gray eyes.

Noeul hated that he noticed. He hated even more that he needed a moment to take him in.

I must be insane.

After everything Chung-Hee had done, after everything Ji-Woo had said only the day before, he was still standing there admiring him.

There is no love between us.

He repeated the words once before opening the door.

Chung-Hee greeted him with a smile. Noeul returned it as best he could and climbed inside. For several seconds, neither spoke.

The memory of the cemetery came without warning: the cold stone beneath his body, Chung-Hee’s hands, his voice. Noeul’s fingers tightened around the edge of his seat.

“About that night…” Chung-Hee began.

“Nothing happened between me and Duri,” Noeul interrupted coldly. “I know I don’t deserve happiness yet.”

Chung-Hee’s smile disappeared. His hands tightened around the steering wheel.

“Indeed. Nothing has happened… so far.” He turned toward Noeul. “The real question is why.”

Noeul said nothing.

“Is it because you have no feelings for him?” Chung-Hee continued. “Or because this is another way of punishing yourself for your past actions?”

Noeul searched for an answer but couldn’t find one he trusted, so he remained silent. Seconds passed.

“Noeul.”

Still nothing.

Chung-Hee reached across and grabbed his hand.

“Answer me.”

Noeul stiffened. “Let go.”

Chung-Hee tightened his grip. “I asked you a question.”