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?”

Go ahead,”

“when you found me, did

why are you suddenly asking this? Did you find

took on a cautious note of sadness.

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

family. It’s just, I can’t help but feel down thinking about the day you might leave and

“I was just asking, don’t overthink it. No matter what,

series of sighs over the phone. Whether it was the deep of the night stirring up unwarranted sentimental emotions, Haley

up the topic, feeling

past. Whenever the topic of how he found her

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

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

words, “I really was just

Haley sighed, “It would be natural for you to look for your biological parents. You’ve had it hard growing up with us. I’m not

was hard to

and Mom have taken great care of me. If it weren’t for you two, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

mom.” Haley sighed, about to continue his rant when Laura’s shrill voice suddenly cut through, “Who are you on the phone with

dialed the wrong number,” Haley meekly replied, then whispered to

ended, Laura snatched the phone away.

money, she was so defiant. She didn’t even want a family if it meant giving the money back. We’ve written her off. We don’t have a daughter like that.

that, she hung up.

of sadness, not sure if it was because of Laura’s