Page 90 of Scarbound

Her expression changed. “No.”

The word came out almost as a whisper. Then, louder, “No.”

Noeul’s stomach tightened as Ms. Lee stepped closer to Chung-Hee.

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

“Mother.”

“Tell me!”

Chung-Hee’s jaw tightened. “We’re not doing anything wrong.”

Her face drained of color. Noeul lowered his gaze.

Ms. Lee gave a short, disbelieving laugh. “Are you insane?”

Chung-Hee’s eyes hardened. “Excuse me?”

“He murdered your brother.”

Noeul flinched.

Ms. Lee turned on him. “And you. After everything that happened to my son, you come here?”

Noeul’s throat tightened. “Ms. Lee, I…”

“You dare stand beside his brother?”

“Mother, enough.”

“No! I buried my son!”

The room went silent. Her chest rose and fell unevenly.

“I buried Haneul while your family continued living.”

Noeul’s eyes filled.

Ms. Lee looked back at Chung-Hee. “Is this why you ran to New York? Why you barely stay at your company anymore? Is this what has been destroying you?” Her gaze shifted to Noeul. “Him?”

Chung-Hee’s calm began to crack. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know exactly what I’m looking at.” She pointed toward Noeul. “You’re falling in love with the person who destroyed our family.”

Noeul went still. Chung-Hee stared at her.

“Don’t say that.”

“Why? Because it’s true?”

“It isn’t.”

“Then what is this?” Ms. Lee’s voice rose. “You think loving him doesn’t betray Haneul?”

Chung-Hee stepped forward. “Noeul did not kill my brother.”

Noeul slowly looked at Chung-Hee.