Page 100 of Scarbound

Most of all, he hated himself for it.

When Noeul’s cries gradually subsided into uneven breaths, Chung-Hee kissed him.

“Whatever I give you,” Chung-Hee murmured, “whether it’s happiness, anguish, or pain… you have no right to reject it.”

“I don’t want what you’re offering,” Noeul cried, shaking his head. “It hurts. Everything hurts. Even the moments that should feel good hurt. I can’t do this anymore, hyung. I’m losing my mind. I need to leave.”

He clutched his head, trying to steady his breathing, trying to quiet the chaos inside him. Then, gathering what little strength he had left, he shoved Chung-Hee backward and ran toward the elevator.

He pressed the button once. Twice. Again.

Nothing.

“Why isn’t it working?” he shouted, slamming the button repeatedly. “Come on… move!”

Only then did he remember the sound of Chung-Hee’s access card when they had entered the apartment.

His blood ran cold.

“You locked it…”

Before he could react, a sharp blow sent him stumbling sideways.

“Fuck…” he muttered, catching himself against the wall.

Chung-Hee grabbed him by the hair and dragged him back toward the living room. “You think you can escape?” he said, his voice shaking with anger.

Noeul struggled weakly against him.

His grip tightened. “Everything about you, your emotions, your actions, your body, your soul, belongs to me. You will never be free of me in this life.”

His gaze drifted briefly toward Haneul’s shrine before returning to Noeul.

“Whatever your family owes mine… I’ll collect from you.”

“Please, hyung,” Noeul begged. “Don’t stop me. I need to get out of here. I don’t feel well. Please.”

“And go where?” Chung-Hee asked bitterly. “Home to hurt yourself? Or to some random bar to drink until you can’t remember your own name?”

A hollow laugh escaped Noeul. “Does it matter?”

His shoulders slumped. “My heart hurts so much… I can’t take it anymore. Please, hyung… Why won’t you let me die?”

His voice broke. “I hate this. I hate the pain. The grief. The loneliness.”

“Why won’t you let me die?” Noeul asked again, tears spilling freely down his face. “Isn’t that what you want?”

“Aren’t my brother and I the worst things that ever happened to Haneul? Haven’t you grown tired of seeing my face every day?”

Chung-Hee laughed, startling him.

“You’re just as naïve as ever.”

He stared at Noeul. “Fine. Go die.”

Noeul froze.

“What do you mean?”