The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 6

Sophin’s flight was scheduled for 6 PM, and her busy bee buddy Susan managed to squeeze in some time to drop her

off at the airport

“So, what’s up with the sudden divorce and heading back to school? In the bustling check-in hall, Susan helped Sophia heave her suitcase onto the conveyor belt and turned to quiz her.

She’d met Sophia after transferring high schools, shared senior year and even college with her, majoring in the same thing. They were like night and day-one bubbly and outspoken, the other quiet and well-behaved-but that didn’t put a

dent in their friendship.

Post-college, Susan didn’t go for a gig related to her degree. She dived into real estate, schmoozing for a mall, which meant she was on the road most of the time

She’d just made it back from a trip when she heard the bombshell. Sophia was divorced and gearing up for a master’s

degree

Sophia’s whirlwind marriage to Brandon had been a shocker for Susan too. The couple seemed like strangers at reunions, barely mingling, and then bam! Less than a month later, they tied the knot. Now, out of the blue, they were

splitsville

She was stumped

In the middle of check-in, Sophia shot Susan a look Just wanted a change of pace.”

Susan raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with life now? No job, but you’re taken care of. That’s the kind of deal most people can only dream of

Sophia replied, “Better to rely on yourself than others. Plus, I didn’t marry Brandon for his cash.”

Susan prodded, “So what’s the deal then? Brandon doesn’t strike me as a jerk.”

In Susan’s book, marriages hit the skids over major differences or cheating. But neither Sophia nor Brandon fit the bill.

Sophia said, “It’s not about him. It’s me.

Susan chuckled, “A fly-by-night marriage, and now a flash divorce. You weren’t in some kind of contract marriage, were you?”

Sophia scoffed, Contract marriages are for people who want something. What would I have that he’d want?”

Susan shot back, ‘Looks, figure, education, smarts-take your pick. Any of those worth chasing?”

glanced at her. With his creds, what kind of

thought for a

ID and boarding pass Sophia

“Let’s do

arm around Sophia’s shoulder to head

bag when Susan’s arm swung down unexpectedly. Her grip loosened, and the ID she was holding dropped. Bending down to pick it up, a shiny, clean shoe stepped right on

as her ID was

owner belatedly realized the

mellow voice said as he lifted his font

contact with the shoe

Sophis? He sounded unsure.

didn’t recognize

Chapter 6

over, greeted with

That jogged Sophia’s memory

a freshman, he was a senior and had been their class mentor for a good

Ivan was a known face-handsome, talented in design, excellent and disciplined, praised by teachers and peers alike. His only flaw was being a bit cold,

Ivan had mentored their class, aside from necessary academic interactions, she

mumbled a greeting, a

her lapse in recognition and politely

time no see, Ivan. Never thought

“It’s been

I was chatting with a senior about you, and here you are. Talk about

asked Ivan. “Are you in a hurry? Join

the time and

a quieter restaurant with live music near the airport. Once seated, Susan passed the menu to Sophia and Ivan.

“Anything’s fine.”

Anything’s fine.”

spoke at the

at them with a smile.

the menu back to

was a rough night’s sleep, but her appetite was nowhere

time

deep in

the place out of sheer boredom. And then, someone

next table, back to Sophia, bad-mouthing her son and daughter-in-law. “No peep from my daughter-in-law’s belly

hearing someone ask Patricia, “Brandon said

that girl he married-not a good match, no help with his career, and her family’s a burden. Suggested they split and find someone new, but no go. Thought maybe they were tight, but now I see my boy’s just too responsible

at Sophia,