CHAPTER 9
The family tried calling Noeul repeatedly after Chung-Hee left, but there was no answer. Late in the afternoon, the call finally connected. Ji-Woo heard a woman’s voice and some movement on the other end before Noeul spoke.
“Hey, Dad. What’s going on?” His voice was hoarse.
Mr. Jung tried to sound natural. “Noeul, we’ve been trying to reach you all day. Why weren’t you answering?”
“Dad, it’s still night here. Did you forget the time difference? It’s only five in the morning.”
Noeul went quiet for a moment. “Sixteen missed calls? I was exhausted and fell asleep on the couch. My phone was in my bag, on silent. Did something happen?”
“Nothing, my son,” Mr. Jung replied quietly. “We forgot about the time difference. Your mother got worried. You know how she is.”
Noeul laughed softly. “Yes, I know. Is she there? Probably not, otherwise she’d already be scolding me. I should get ready for work now that you’ve woken me up. At least I’ll catch the sunrise.”
Ji-Woo gently took the phone. “Hey, hyung.”
“I’m fine,” Noeul said quickly. “I just woke up. Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Ji-Woo forced a smile even though Noeul couldn’t see it. “When are you coming back? We miss you. Especially yesterday.”
When Noeul answered, his voice had dropped. “I’m sorry. I was busy with work.”
“So… are you coming back?”
“You know I can’t.” A pause. “I need to get ready for work. We’ll talk later.”
The line went dead. Ji-Woo lowered the phone. His brother had lied to him. As much as he hated admitting it, Chung-Hee had been right. They had to protect Noeul from himself. His parents pulled him into their arms.
***
Chung-Hee found the two men waiting in the living room. Mr. Jung looked exhausted, a bottle of soju resting on the table. Ji-Woo sat quietly beside him, his biscuits untouched next to a glass of orange juice. Both documents were signed.
“Thank you for your trust,” Chung-Hee said, bowing slightly. “I will do everything in my power to help your son recover.”
“And what do you need from us?” Mr. Jung asked.
“You must not oppose me regarding Noeul. I promise you, in my brother’s memory, that I will always act in his best interest.”
Before Ji-Woo could speak, his father nodded. “I’m counting on you to take care of my child. Take whatever we owe you… but don’t leave him alone. He must continue to live.”
Ji-Woo walked Chung-Hee to the elevator. “My father’s promise was his alone,” he said quietly. “If it were up to me, you’d never come near my brother.”
Chung-Hee remained silent.
“But know this.” Ji-Woo met his eyes. “I’ll stand by him against anyone. Even you. You don’t know who he really is. You don’t know what he’s endured. I failed to protect him once. I won’t fail again.”
The elevator doors closed. The words stayed with Chung-Hee. What didn’t he know?
The moment he stepped into the car, he called his assistant. “San, I have the signed documents. Is everything ready?”
“Yes, Mr. Lee. Are you returning to the company?”
“No.” Chung-Hee leaned back against the seat. “I’ll go home, rest, and pack. Pick me up at two.”
Noeul was alive. Now Chung-Hee had to make sure he stayed that way.