Page 89 of Scarbound

He walked quickly through the lobby.

Chung-Hee followed.

“Noeul.”

Noeul kept walking.

“Let me at least take you home.”

“Hyung, I just need…”

Noeul stopped abruptly.

Chung-Hee, following only a step behind, nearly collided with him.

Noeul drew in a sharp breath. His entire body went still.

Chung-Hee frowned. “Noeul?”

But Noeul wasn’t looking at him.

His face had lost its color. His hands trembled at his sides, and when he finally spoke, his voice was barely audible.

“Ms. Lee?”

Chung-Hee looked up—and froze.

CHAPTER 34

His mother stood only a few steps away.

For several seconds, nobody moved. Ms. Lee stared at Noeul as though she were looking at someone who should not exist in front of her. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely audible.

“Noeul… what are you doing here?”

Noeul heard her. He simply couldn’t answer. Memories came faster than thought. She had once treated him like family. Then Haneul died, and it was as if she had buried whatever love she had for Noeul beside him.

“Mother,” Chung-Hee said, his usual strictness returning, “let’s go upstairs. We shouldn’t have this conversation here.”

He reached for Noeul’s hand. Noeul should have pulled away. He knew that. Instead, his body followed before his mind caught up.

The elevator ride passed without a word. Only when the penthouse door closed behind them did Noeul seem to return to himself. He immediately pulled his hand free.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I think I should go.”

He bowed slightly and turned toward the door, but Ms. Lee moved in front of him.

“No. Not until you explain what’s going on.” Her eyes moved between the two men. “What are you doing here?”

Noeul pushed his hands deep into his coat pockets. “I really need to leave.”

“Chung-Hee.” Her voice sharpened. “Speak.”

Chung-Hee moved to Noeul’s side. “It’s simple. I invited him.”

Ms. Lee stared at her son. “Why?”

Chung-Hee didn’t answer immediately.