It had been years, more than a decade since Aera had last visited her mother's office. The last time, she was six. A small girl holding her mother's hand, in awe of the tall buildings, clean desks, and how people looked at her mother with respect. Back then, it was one of her favorite memories. A time when things were simple. A time when love wasn't so complicated. A time when her illness hadn't started building invisible walls between them.
Now, sitting quietly in the car beside her mother, she couldn't help but wonder did her mom remember those days too? Or had she moved on, busy with meetings, numbers, and grown-up priorities?
As they stepped into the office, the familiar scent of polished floors and coffee machines triggered a flood of memories. But most of the people? Strangers. Their eyes flicked toward her curious, maybe even surprised. A teenage girl beside their boss? Who was she?
Then came a familiar voice.
The receptionist smiling warmly, "Wait… Aera? You've grown up so much. Good morning."
Aera softly smiling,
"Morning…"
Relieved to see at least one familiar face, she followed her mom into the elevator. They rose silently to the 17th floor. Ding.
As the doors slid open, Aera's steps slowed.
Right there on her mother's desk, behind the organized files and sleek computer screen… was a framed drawing.
Her drawing.
A clumsy sketch of a little girl and her mother holding hands stick figures with giant smiles. A rainbow overhead. The girl had written "Me and Mom" in bubble letters. No father in sight.
Even back then, Aera knew her father didn't care. So she didn't include him. No point pretending.
Aera wide eyed,
"Mom… You still have this?"
Her mother looked at her. Her expression softened like melting wax.
Her mom quietly,
"I still have everything, Aera. I still remember… when you were a baby, your first word was 'banana.' It was so silly. You were so tiny. And I didn't know then... that one day I'd hurt you."
Her voice cracked. And before Aera could say anything, tears spilled down her mother's cheeks.
Aera blinked, her own eyes welling up. She moved forward and hugged her tight, no words needed.
Just warmth.
Just pain.
Just the tiny moment of healing.
After that, Aera sat quietly on the couch while her mom got up and composed herself before leaving for a meeting. The rest of the day passed with Aera watching her mother work how focused she was, how respected. And in between her typing and calls, she'd smile at Aera, and Aera would smile back. It was peaceful. Almost like old times.
In the evening, when they returned home, her father's car was already in the driveway.
The door opened, and before Aera could even take off her shoes.
"Why did you leave my mother alone today? I heard she asked to go shopping and you just left her."
Her mom calmly,
"She brought it up when I was already about to leave. I had a scheduled board meeting. If she needed something, she could've informed me earlier."
Her father raising voice,
"Even if it was important, it's never more important than a person!"
Her mom voice sharp but steady,
"Oh? Now you're talking about importance to people?"
Her tone turned bitter, memories clearly rising.
Her mom not backing down,
"When my father was on his deathbed, I begged you to come. I said I needed to go. You told me 'People die every day. I can't lose money'. Back then, I had no power. I couldn't leave. But now I can. Now I'm independent."
Silence. Her words hit like thunder.
Then she continued, more coldly
"If you can't tolerate me, then fine. Let's divorce. I'll take custody of my daughter."
Her father in furious,
"Are you threatening me now?!"
From the side, his mother, Aera's grandma scoffed.
"Her mother is like this. Can't blame her. I told your father back then not to marry that girl. And now? Look what this family has become. A mess."
The insults began. Words flying like daggers.
And once again, Aera stood in the middle of the chaos.
She stayed quiet, but her fists were clenched. Her gaze sharp. She wasn't six anymore. She understood everything now.
The day that started with a hug, ended with a storm.
But somewhere inside her, something had shifted. Her mother was not perfect but she was trying. Fighting. And that meant something.
It meant maybe, just maybe… they'd make it out of this.
Together.
The next morning was anything but peaceful.
Voices echoed through the house, shouts, slamming doors, the unmistakable crash of a suitcase being dragged across the floor like it owed her money.
"I'm leaving! Can't live in a family like this! Mother and daughter same attitude! Same disrespect! Tuh! What a disgrace!"
She yanked her bag down the stairs like it was a dramatic K-drama scene, muttering loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear. Aera just stood at the corner of the hall, arms folded, chewing an invisible popcorn.
Aera thought,
"Wow. The Academy Award for Best Performance in Self Pity goes to..."
Before anyone could respond, the front door slammed. Hard. Gone. Just like that.
Her father had already left for work early probably to avoid the mess or maybe to sulk at his desk with guilt and ego. Either way, good riddance.
Now it was just Aera and her mom standing in the silent aftermath, like two survivors after a hurricane.
Her mom sighing,
"Let's go. You'll be late for school."
They got into the car, and for a few minutes, it was quiet.
But Aera couldn't resist. The corner of her lips twitched.
Aera casually,
"You know… I read a story once. About a woman with invisible horns on her head. She looked normal to everyone else, but to those who lived with her? Complete demon. Sound familiar?"
Her mom choked on her laughter and coughed, trying to keep a straight face while driving.
Her mom smirking,
"Was her specialty guilt tripping, emotionally blackmailing, and playing the victim in 4K?"
Aera grinning,
"Yup. And her most powerful attack? Comparing you to every other grandchild in the universe."
Her mom laughing softly,
"I think I've met her."
They both burst into laughter, tired, but real. It felt good. Like an exorcism of bad energy.
The tension in the car melted away. For once, the morning didn't feel like a countdown to chaos. It felt… light.
Aera looked at her mom as they neared the school gate.
Her hair was tied neatly. Her eyes had a little puffiness from last night. But she still looked strong. Maybe stronger than Aera had ever seen her.
Aera gently,
"Thanks for dropping me, Mom."
Her mother smiled back not the forced, polite one. The soft, real one.
Her mom said, "Anytime. Now go conquer the day. And if anyone annoys you—"
Aera finished the sentence,
"imagine them with grandma's horns. Got it."
They both chuckled again.
And just like that, Aera stepped out of the car with her backpack, walking into the school with lighter steps.
The horned creature had left the building. And for the first time in a while, it actually felt like home was possible.