The house was in chaos again. Loud music, discarded bottles, and an overwhelming mess greeted Haein as she stepped into the living room. Soobin had thrown yet another party, ignoring her mother’s condition and the warnings that had been issued the last time. The aftermath was scattered across the floor—empty cans, shattered glass, and the lingering smell of alcohol.
Haein stood in the doorway, feeling the weight of her exhaustion pressing down on her. Her head pounded, and her vision blurred for a moment, but she blinked it away. Soobin had already left with her friends, not bothering to clean up or even check on her mother.
With a quiet sigh, Haein rolled up her sleeves and began to pick up the pieces, one by one. She moved slowly, each step heavier than the last. As she bent down to sweep the broken glass into a dustpan, her body screamed with fatigue. The stress of managing Soobin, her business, and her own worsening health had taken its toll. Every day felt like an uphill battle, and this party was just another reminder of how little control she had over her life anymore.
The house had once been a place of calm, but now it felt foreign, consumed by the chaos Soobin left in her wake. Haein’s hands trembled as she scrubbed the sticky surfaces, her mind drifting to the past—back to a time when things were simpler. She missed the days when she and Soobin shared even the smallest bond, before everything had become so cold and distant.
Hours passed, and Haein pushed herself harder to finish the cleaning. The physical strain was unbearable, and each movement felt like it was draining her last bit of energy. She wiped the sweat from her brow, the room spinning as she stood up too quickly. Her chest tightened, and a wave of dizziness washed over her.
Suddenly, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. Her vision darkened, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure if she could get back up. She lay there, surrounded by the remnants of Soobin’s reckless party, her body refusing to move.
As she lay on the cold tiles, time seemed to slip away. The pounding in her head grew louder, the world around her fading in and out of focus. She thought about calling for help, but the phone was too far, and her voice was too weak. She felt helpless, trapped in her own home, abandoned by the daughter she had given everything for.
Hours later, the front door creaked open, and Soobin stumbled in, her laughter filling the room. She froze when she saw her mother lying on the floor, but the concern in her eyes was fleeting. “Mom, what are you doing down there?” Soobin’s voice was careless, almost annoyed.
Haein struggled to sit up, her breathing shallow. “I…I was cleaning up,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Soobin shrugged, barely glancing at the mess. “You didn’t have to. It was just a party. You’re always so dramatic.” She stepped over the debris, ignoring the strain in her mother’s voice.
Haein watched as Soobin disappeared down the hallway, her heart sinking further. No apology, no concern—just a continuation of the selfish, reckless behaviour that had become all too familiar.
As she struggled to her feet, Haein’s hands shook. She knew she couldn’t go on like this, but for now, all she could do was pick up the pieces, both of her home and her heart, and carry on as best she could.
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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...
