Page 9 of Scarbound

That boy had been Haneul’s closest friend.

Gong’s twin.

He carried his face. His blood. He was family…

The family of his brother’s killer.

If Chung-Hee had seen him before hearing those words, he would’ve broken his face, shattered it so it wouldn’t resemble Gong’s anymore.

But now… now he had listened.

The boy who shared the face of his brother’s tormentor had loved Haneul.

And Haneul had loved him back.

Haneul had mentioned Noeul in his suicide note.

The realization pierced him. He had never even known his brother’s friends.

After the divorce, when he moved to the U.S. with his father, they saw each other only on holidays. He’d only returned to Korea after Haneul’s death.

In that final note, Haneul had asked them to forgive and protect Noeul. Had he really loved him enough to forgive his weakness? To ask that of them?

Chung-Hee had ignored his brother’s final request. He’d chosen hatred. Bitterness. Blame. But now… he couldn’t see Noeul as the monster he had imagined.

What now?

Punish Noeul in Gong’s place?

Or honor the last thing his brother had ever asked of him?

Watching Noeul offered him a way to postpone the choice. If Noeul was in danger, Chung-Hee could protect him for Haneul. If he discovered that Noeul had built a happy life too easily, he could punish him. Either way, Noeul would remain within his reach.

He stood frozen until San approached from the path behind.

“Mr. Lee,” San said quietly, “I’m sorry to disturb your moment. It’s past 9:30. If we want to make your appointment, we should leave now.”

Frustration flashed across Chung-Hee’s face. “Already?” His voice was low, rough. “Wait for me in the car. Five minutes.”

San bowed slightly and retreated.

Chung-Hee turned back to the grave. He stayed a little longer, speaking of small things—Jun and Kija, work, the weather. Details that felt like breathing again.

“I have to go,” he said finally. “Work’s calling. Mom will be here soon. Are you happy today?”

A pause.

“The people who loved you most came to see you. As always, our father is absent.”

He exhaled. “I’ll come back soon. I love you.”

During the drive to NovaTech, Chung-Hee caught San watching him repeatedly through the rearview mirror.

When they stepped into the elevator at the NovaTech tower, San hesitated, then spoke. “Mr. Lee, is something wrong?”

“Yes,” Chung-Hee said. “I want everything you can find on Jung Gong and his twin brother. I want a full report by the end of the day.”

San froze at the names. “Jung Gong and his brother?” he asked carefully. “After all this time?”