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

are you suddenly asking this? Did

cheer and took on a cautious note of sadness.

who got separated from her family too, and we chatted about it. I was just curious, that’s all. I’m not planning to

your family. It’s just, I can’t help but feel down thinking about the day

like that, Dad,” Sophia said, feeling somewhat guilty, “I was just

sighs over the phone. Whether

the topic, feeling guilty for disturbing

her past. Whenever the

this happened a few times, Sophia began to understand Haley’s emotional hang-ups and tried not to press him

was clouded, and she had forgotten to avoid this sensitive subject, inadvertently stirring up Haley’s melancholy.

called out softly, regretting her words, “I really was just asking. Don’t be upset.

“It would be natural for you to look for your biological parents. You’ve had it hard growing up

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 where I am today. Don’t

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

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

the call ended, Laura snatched

and agitated 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 defiant. She didn’t even want a family if it

that, she hung up.

sadness, not sure if it was because of Laura’s words or Haley’s reaction, or something else.