Page 91 of Scarbound

Ms. Lee’s expression twisted. “Have you forgotten everything?”

“No.” Chung-Hee’s voice was low. “I remember everything.”

“Then how can you stand there defending him?” Her eyes filled. “Or do you want to end up like Haneul too?”

Noeul shuddered. “Do you really think I would destroy his life?” His voice came out more firmly than he expected.

Ms. Lee turned toward him. “Yes. That’s exactly what I think.”

For a moment, the old instinct returned. Apologize. Accept it. Let her say whatever she needed to say. But another voice surfaced beneath it. You became the person she blamed. That is not the same thing.

Noeul swallowed. “I wouldn’t.”

Ms. Lee stared at him.

Noeul’s eyes were wet now, but he didn’t look away. “I loved Haneul. I know what Gong did was wrong. I know there are things I should have seen sooner.” His voice began to tremble. “But I didn’t kill him.”

Ms. Lee’s breath caught.

Noeul continued before fear could stop him. “And I won’t let you keep calling me his murderer.”

For one brief second, something in her face cracked. Not anger. Pain. Then it disappeared beneath fury.

“How dare you?” She crossed the distance between them. “You stand in my son’s home and tell me what I’m allowed to call you?”

Her hands closed around Noeul’s shoulders. “You think because years have passed, you get to move on?”

She shook him. “My son doesn’t get to move on!”

“Mother!” Chung-Hee snapped.

But she didn’t hear him.

“How are you still here?” Her voice broke. “How are you still alive when Haneul is dead?”

Noeul’s face crumpled. Ms. Lee struck his chest with the heel of her hand, once, then again.

“Why did your family get to keep their sons?” Another blow. “Why did I have to bury mine?”

Noeul stumbled backward. Chung-Hee caught her wrist.

“Stop.”

She tore free. “You chose your brother over him!”

Noeul flinched as though she had struck somewhere deeper.

Ms. Lee’s tears were falling freely now. “And now you’re taking Chung-Hee too?”

“No,” Noeul whispered.

“You seduced him.”

“I didn’t.”

“You came into this family once already and destroyed it!”

“I didn’t!”