The grand penthouse was abuzz with a rare excitement as Haein prepared for Hyunwoo’s visit. She had spent the morning meticulously arranging the living area, ensuring everything was in its place, from the freshly polished marble floors to the carefully selected floral arrangements. Though the sight of her husband always invoked a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, today was different—there was a faint hope that his presence might ease the growing distance between them.
When Hyunwoo finally arrived, it was with his usual air of controlled efficiency. Dressed in a tailored suit, he looked every bit the successful lawyer, but his face betrayed a hint of weariness from the long flight. As he stepped into the penthouse, he was greeted by Haein’s warm, albeit slightly strained, smile.
“Welcome home, Hyunwoo” Haein said, her voice steady but laced with a hint of nervousness. “It’s good to see you.”
Hyunwoo returned the smile, though his eyes flickered with a mix of exhaustion and uncertainty. “It’s good to be here, Haein” he replied, as he glanced around the familiar yet distant surroundings.
Soobin, who had been lounging in the living room, barely looked up from her phone as her father entered. Her indifference was palpable, and Hyunwoo's attempts to engage her were met with curt, monosyllabic responses.
“Hey, Soobin” Hyunwoo began, trying to sound enthusiastic. “How have you been?”
Soobin barely looked up from her screen. “Fine,” she replied, her tone flat.
Hyunwoo forced a chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood. “I was hoping we could catch up, maybe have dinner together.”
“I’m busy” Soobin said shortly, not even glancing at him. “I have plans.”
Hyunwoo’s smile faltered, but he masked his disappointment with a nod. “Alright, another time then.”
As the days passed, it became increasingly clear that Hyunwoo’s attempts to connect with Soobin were falling flat. She was preoccupied with her own world and showed little interest in her father’s efforts. The few interactions they had were stilted, and the gap between them seemed to widen with each passing day.
---
The evening arrived, and with it, a growing tension between Haein and Hyunwoo. They sat at the dining table, the meal untouched as they exchanged uneasy glances. The initial warmth of Hyunwoo’s arrival had faded, leaving a palpable strain in the air.
“Haein” Hyunwoo began, breaking the silence, “we need to talk about Soobin.”
Haein’s eyes narrowed slightly, her hand tightening around her fork. “What about her?” she asked, her voice cool.
“Her behavior” Hyunwoo said, his tone edged with frustration. “She’s been dismissive and distant. I don’t know how to reach her.”
Haein’s expression hardened. “And what exactly do you expect me to do?” she replied sharply. “You’re barely here, and when you are, you make no effort to understand what’s going on with her.”
Hyunwoo’s face flushed with irritation. “It’s not that simple. I’m trying, but she’s not responding. And you… you don’t seem to be handling it any better.”
Haein’s jaw clenched, her eyes flashing with hurt. “I’m doing everything I can. But maybe if you spent more time here, you’d understand just how hard it is.”
The argument escalated quickly, their voices rising as they each vented their frustrations. “I’ve been busy working to provide for this family!” Hyunwoo shouted. “But all you do is criticize me for not being here enough.”
“And what about me?” Haein shot back. “What about the sacrifices I’ve made? I’m the one who’s here day in and day out, dealing with Soobin’s attitude and trying to keep this family together.”
Their argument continued, the discussion shifting from Soobin’s behavior to their own strained relationship. Old grievances resurfaced, and the conversation became a battlefield of hurt feelings and unspoken resentments.
---
As the night wore on, the once elegant dining room felt suffocating, the air thick with unresolved tension. Haein and Hyunwoo eventually fell silent, both exhausted and emotionally drained. The chasm between them felt wider than ever, their earlier hopes of rekindling their connection dissipating.
Hyunwoo sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. “Maybe we need to rethink how we handle things” he said quietly. “For Soobin’s sake.”
Haein nodded, her eyes tired and resigned. “Maybe. But it’s not just about Soobin. We need to figure out what we want for ourselves, too.”
The conversation ended on a somber note, with both Haein and Hyunwoo retreating into their separate corners of the penthouse. As the night deepened, the silence between them was a stark reminder of the distance that had grown over the years—a distance that neither seemed to know how to bridge.
The next morning, Soobin left for school, her indifference once again on display. Haein and Hyunwoo exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgment of the challenges they faced. The visit had not gone as planned, and the future seemed uncertain. Yet, amidst the tension and frustration, there was a shared understanding that something needed to change, for their daughter’s sake and for their own.
As Hyunwoo prepared to return to Korea, Haein stood by the door, her expression a mix of sadness and resolve. “Safe travels” she said softly.
“Thank you” Hyunwoo replied, his eyes reflecting a flicker of the man he once was.
As the door closed behind him, Haein turned back into the penthouse, the weight of the past few days settling heavily on her shoulders. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but she was determined to find a way through the darkness, hoping for a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
YOU ARE READING
Pieces Of Us
Random"Pieces of Us" follows the tumultuous relationship between Baek Soobin, a sixteen-year-old who lives a life of luxury and rebellion, and her mother, Hong Haein, a powerful CEO known for her cold, distant demeanour. As Soobin continues to push her mo...
