CHAPTER 21
His tall, athletic frame filled the doorway as he balanced three cups of coffee and a bag of cookies. “Are you two okay?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.
“Of course,” Noeul replied before turning back to his brother. “Ji-Woo, could you help me, please? I still can’t lift the cup, not even with my right hand.”
Ji-Woo started to walk toward him, but his phone rang before he reached the bed. He glanced at the screen and smiled. “Hyung, I have to take this.” He picked up his coffee and looked at Duri. “Duri hyung will help you. Right?”
“Of course.” Duri pulled a chair closer to the bed as Ji-Woo disappeared into the hallway. He placed one cup of coffee on the bedside table, then carefully brought the other to Noeul’s lips.
“Was that his girlfriend?” Noeul asked, as if they hadn’t been estranged for years.
Duri studied him for a moment before answering. Their eyes met. Neither looked away. Something stirred inside Noeul. His palms grew damp. He knew the feeling, although he had never allowed himself to name it. There was something about Duri’s green eyes that made it difficult to breathe.
For years, whenever his attention lingered too long, Noeul had hidden behind the safest explanation: Duri was Ji-Woo’s friend. Four years younger. Almost family. Now that explanation no longer quieted what stirred inside him. He looked away first.
“Yes… probably,” Duri replied with a faint smile as he offered him another sip of coffee. He shrugged lightly. “I don’t even know anymore.” A quiet laugh escaped him. “Your brother’s quite a player.”
Noeul couldn’t help smiling. “I didn’t even know that.” His amusement disappeared almost immediately. Three years. How much of Ji-Woo’s life had he missed? His shoulders slumped as guilt returned. Almost unconsciously, his fingers found Gong’s ring hanging from the chain around his neck.
Duri’s gaze dropped to Gong’s ring. Without a word, he reached out, gently cupped Noeul’s chin, and guided his face back toward him.
“There’s still hope, hyung,” he said quietly.
“Please don’t give up. I’ll help you. We all will.
But you have to choose to keep going. No one else can make that choice for you. ”
When Duri lifted the coffee again, Noeul accepted another sip.
“Thank you, Duri.” He met his eyes gratefully.
“For checking on us. I know you have to leave for work soon.” He hesitated.
“And… thank you for being such a good friend to Ji-Woo. I know you’re the one who convinced him to give me a chance. ”
“Ji-Woo is more than a friend,” Duri said. “He’s family. The same goes for you, hyung.” His expression softened. “I’d never want my brother to suffer. And if there’s something I can do to spare Ji-Woo that kind of pain… I’ll do it.”
“You’ve changed a lot,” Noeul said. “You’re much more mature than I expected.”
A faint laugh escaped Duri. “I had an excellent role model.”
Noeul leaned forward, curiosity lighting his face. “Your mother?”
Duri shook his head. “Well, eomma too. But mostly, the person I like.”
“Oh…” Noeul lowered his gaze. “I see.” A strange disappointment settled inside him. It didn’t make sense. He had loved Chung-Hee for years. So why did hearing those words hurt? “She must be a very lucky girl.”
Duri slipped his bag over his shoulder. He smiled to himself, almost fondly. “He really is.” He paused. “A very lucky man.” Then he walked out of the room.
The door closed softly behind him. Noeul remained staring after him with his mouth slightly open.