The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 8

At the restaurant, Patricia frowned upon seeing Brandon’s response and couldn’t help but glance at Ivan and Sophia, obviously skeptical. She shot back a message to Brandon [If he’s your guy, what’s his name?]

But there was no reply on WhatsApp.

Patricia’s face started to cloud over as she waited without a response, and she couldn’t help but look at Sophia again.

The gal sitting across from her was just as puzzled and looked at Sophia before turning to Patricia. “What’s up?”

She didn’t know Sophia or recognize her.

Patricia shook her head It’s nothing.”

But her eyes were still fixed on Sophia, with a touch of petulance and a not-so-quiet voice, not to mention her strong presence. Sophia couldn’t help but furrow her brows and instinctively turned around, locking eyes with Patricia.

Patricia was still holding her phone, showing no signs of embarrassment at being caught in the act. She just calmly glanced at Sophia without saying hi

Sophia didn’t make a move to say hi either, just calmly returned her gaze after a brief eye contact.

Ivan looked at her thoughtfully. An acquaintance?”

Sophia nodded with a smile. “Yeah. She didn’t elaborate.

Seeing she wasn’t getting a greeting from Sophia, Patricia’s face sunk, but she was still perched on her elder’s high horse, not quite ready to cross that line. Probably trying to give Sophia a nudge, she picked up her phone again and sent Brandon a voice message. Brandon, don’t cover for Sophia all the time. Busy as you are with work, you still gotta keep an eye on your wife. Sophia’s a married woman, after all. I trust she wouldn’t do anything untoward, but it would look bad if acquaintances started gossiping.”

She didn’t bother to lower her voice.

Sophia could hear her, but didn’t respond, just sipped her tea as if nothing was amiss.

Still no peep from Brandon on WhatsApp.

Patricia, used to carrying her elder’s authority, couldn’t stand being ignored by the younger generation and lost her temper. She got up and walked over to Sophia, standing between her and Ivan. She glanced at Ivan as if by accident, then turned to Sophia. “Sophia, who’s this?”

She was polite and composed, so Sophia politely introduced him “This is my senior.”

Patricia sized up Ivan from her lofty position and reached out to him. “Hello, I’m Sophia’s mother-in-law.”

Ivan nodded politely. “Hello”

Patricia didn’t get the deference or the panic she expected. She gave Ivan another look, then couldn’t help but turn to Sophia. “Sophia, you’re a married woman. You should be mindful of how it looks when you’re with other men.”

Then she added with an affable smile. “Also, if you need money or anything, just talk to the family. Don’t always have your folks come over. Doesn’t sound good if it gets out.”

with her cup,

for buying the villa. It was our oversight, now that you’ve married into

her. “I’m not aware of this situation. I apologize

sure to return every penny

nodded apologetically to Patricia, then tumed to Ivan. “Ivan, I’m sorry, but I have some things to take care of and aught have to leave first Make yourself

stood up. ‘Do you need help with

and declined, Ro,

Chapter 8

waiter. “Where are you headed?

need, but thank you.” Sophia

from the sidelines, was visibly upset

her phone call and came

home for a bit.” Sophia looked apologetic at Susan, Susan, I might have to catch up with you next time

need to Susan pulled her, “When I’m free,

keep an eye on the time and

Sophia nodded. “I know.”

few minutes away from

Sophia got home, Aaron and Laura were there, debating over which apartment layout to

startled, and Laura even looked up at the clock in confusion. “Weren’t you supposed to be on a flight this afternoon? Why are you still

word, Sophia walked over with an expressionless face, bent down to grab the layout from the table, and ripped it

startled by her sudden action and stared at her in

“What’s wrong?

just calmly tossed the pieces into the trash and reached out to them.

Laura looked at each other, confused.

Sophia said, The money!”

and Laura didn’t say

and you shouldn’t bother them anymore. And what

explained, coming to his senses,

him,

scratched his head, looking a bit guilty. “And it’s not like

you return

stumped and only after a while timidly said. “If we really can’t pay it back, then we won’t. After all, it was offered by him, and he certainly

and laughed out of frustration. Just because he

all the endeavors I’ve put into raising you, he

for mom and dad either. They fell head over heels for that house. If we miss this chance, there’s no other If we can buy it,

takes a shine to? Sophia, keeping het cool, said, “That’s not our money to cake. Give it back to him right now, and don’t make me repeat

Chapter 8

“Give back what? The

said “Then cancel the

we cancel, we won’t get

money spent on