The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 52

“Hello?” A sleepy voice came through the phone, and that’s when Sophia suddenly snapped out of it, remembering that the time zone here was different from back home.

She meant to say she had dialed the wrong number and to let Haley get back to sleep, but before she could speak up, Haley was already sitting up, concerned, asking her, “Sophia, what’s wrong? Did something happen for you to call so late?”

“No, I dialed by mistake,” Sophia quickly reassured, “Sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s alright, as long as you’re okay,” Haley replied with a sigh of relief, now fully awake and ready to chat, “How’s it going over there? Settling in okay? Got enough dough? Do you need me to send you some extra cash?”

“No need, Dad, I’m good. I’m getting along well here, and my classmates are super nice to me, don’t worry about me,” Sophia said softly, comforting him, “But now that I’m not there, make sure you take care of yourself and don’t skimp on good food.”

“Don’t worry, I’m doing great,” Haley said with a chuckle, putting her at ease, “Just today I was talking about you with your brother and mom, thinking it’s been a while since you called, wasn’t sure how you were doing. Wanted to call you, but then I heard about the time difference and all that jazz, and I didn’t want to mess with your classes or your rest, so I didn’t dare call. And here you are, calling tonight.”

His aged voice was filled with joy and contentment.

But Sophia felt a twinge in her nose.

Before she left, she had a bit of a fallout with her mom and her brother Aaron, and had only called Haley once to check in after arriving, neglecting her dad’s feelings.

“How,” Sophia hesitated, then softly asked, “How are my mom, my brother and sister-in-law doing?”

“All good, you don’t need to worry, just take care of yourself,” Haley said cheerily.

“Okay,” Sophia responded quietly, sensing Haley’s upbeat mood. She thought for a moment and couldn’t help asking, “Dad, can I ask you something?”

ahead,” Haley said.

pursed her lips slightly, her voice growing softer, “when you found me, did I ever say anything about my family or

you suddenly asking this? Did you find your family?”

lost its cheer and took on a cautious note of

his disappointment, “Dad, don’t worry. I met a classmate today who got separated from her family too, and we chatted about it. I was just curious, that’s all. I’m not planning to look

not trying to stop you from finding your family. It’s just, I can’t help but feel down thinking about

somewhat guilty, “I was just asking, don’t overthink it. No matter what, you’ll

to comfort him didn’t do much to lift his spirits, leading to a series of sighs over the phone. Whether it was the deep of the night stirring up unwarranted sentimental emotions, Haley seemed particularly down..

topic, feeling guilty for disturbing

grown older, perhaps due to a sense of security, Haley had become reluctant to discuss her past. Whenever the topic of how he found her came up, his mood would instantly plummet, making

to understand Haley’s emotional hang-ups and tried not to press him about her

and she had forgotten to avoid this sensitive subject, inadvertently stirring

“I really was just asking. Don’t be upset. I’m not looking

parents. You’ve had it hard growing up with us.

emotional outpouring was hard

don’t say that. You and Mom have taken great care of me. If it weren’t for you two, I wouldn’t be

his rant when Laura’s shrill voice suddenly cut through, “Who are you on the phone with in the

the wrong number,” Haley meekly replied, then whispered to Sophia, “Let me hang up now,

the call ended, Laura

voice then came through, “I knew it, the only person who would call at this ungodly hour is that ungrateful girl. When she took the money, she was so

she hung

sure if it was because