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, turned to her. “What

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

stood up, interrupting her. “I’m not aware of this situation. I apologize for

to return every penny once I’ve

I’m sorry, but I have

stood up. ‘Do you

sled and declined, Ro, thank you,

Chapter 8

already signaled the waiter. “Where are you headed? Let me drop you

but thank you.” Sophia

watching coldly from the sidelines, was visibly upset but

her phone call and came over worriedly.

home for a bit.” Sophia looked apologetic at Susan, Susan,

pulled her, “When I’m free,

pointed at her watch. Just keep an eye

Sophia nodded. “I know.”

a few minutes away from the

and Laura were there, debating over which apartment layout to choose, with

at the clock in confusion. “Weren’t you supposed to be on a flight this afternoon? Why are you still

Sophia walked over with an expressionless face, bent down to grab

Laura were startled by her sudden action and stared at her in

“What’s wrong?

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

at each

Sophia said, The money!”

and Laura

did I remind you before? Brandon and I are divorced, and you shouldn’t bother them anymore. And what happened? It

was Brandon who said you weren’t divorced.” Aaron quickly explained, coming to his senses, “And the money was offered by him, I didn’t ask for

don’t go to him,

did go to him, but I wasn’t asking for money. Aaron scratched his head, looking a bit guilty. “And it’s not like we’re not giving it back. Just borrowed it for now and will return it when we

will you return it

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

of frustration. Just because he doesn’t

you, he marries you off and you’re fussing over giving us

might say something even more sutrageous. “Look, it’s not easy for mom and dad either. They fell head over heels for that house. If we miss this

keeping het cool, said, “That’s not

Chapter 8

said, “Give back what? The

cancel the

we cancel, we won’t get

spent on a