The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 59

Haley seemed to realize what he had just blurted out and quickly waved his hands in denial, “Nope, no way, how could my own little girl be a foundling? You must’ve heard me wrong. I was saying I didn’t expect how her mom dislike her when she gave birth. I ain’t got no great talents, always busy with work, slaving away outside all day, hardly had time for her. Poor thing had to rough it out when she was

little.”

He denied it so naturally, without a hint of panic or shifty eyes, cool as a cucumber, almost making Kent wonder if he’d misheard. Kent chuckled awkwardly and poured Haley another glass of booze, “Man, my ears must be getting old before their time, I could’ve sworn you said Sophia was picked up by you guys.”

“No way, I must’ve just been tongue-tied. Drinking too much this early, can’t even talk straight,” Haley chuckled, trying to steer the conversation away.

But Kent was on his tail, “Sophia’s so lovable now, must’ve been a real sweet and cute kid, huh?”

“You bet. She was such a darling, a real heart-stealer since she was tiny, pretty as a picture, all rosy-cheeked. Back then, she must’ve been five or six years old, middle of winter, all alone outside, freezing her little face off, but no fussing, no crying. Just huddled up, knees to her chest, staring at me with those big, clear eyes full of terror, not making a peep.”

Maybe it was the booze talking, but Haley got all nostalgic, knocked back his drink, and went on, “When I walked over, she asked me in this tiny, weak voice, ‘Mister, are you here to take me home?”

Kent didn’t point out the slip-up, just filled up Haley’s glass again and asked softly, “What happened next?”

“Seeing how pitiful she was, I rushed her to the hospital. She clearly felt awful the whole way, but didn’t cry one bit, just clung to me for dear life, afraid I’d leave her behind. It was heart-wrenching, really.” Haley downed another glass, “She had hypothermia which led to a bunch of complications, ended up with pneumonia, high fever for days. When she came to, she was out of it, didn’t remember anything, just me. She’d cling to my shirt, scared I’d ditch her, sick as a dog getting poked and prodded for blood, daily shots, IVs, and through it all, not a single whimper. Tears would well up, but she wouldn’t let them fall. Broke my heart to see it.”

Haley paused, then with a sheepish grin, he looked at Kent and said, “It’s all my fault, really. She was so small, and I wasn’t careful enough, let her get lost. We searched for days and nights, thank goodness we found her.”

Kent just smiled and didn’t call out the inconsistencies, just kept the booze flowing and said, “Sounds like she had it tough, such a small kid going through so much. Breaks my heart just hearing about it.”

another glass, “All my fault for being so coward and useless.

Haley’s glass and laughed, “Maybe she’s just hot-headed, but

smile, “Kent, you wouldn’t understand. Every

that, we all have our own battles,” Kent agreed with a chuckle, then prodded, “What happened after? Did Sophia go anywhere else

in the day, we were skint, both her mom and I were laid off, struggling to support one kid, let alone two. Eventually, we couldn’t find work back home, had to drag the siblings here to scrape by. But Sophia’s always been understanding, helping out at home, never a word of complaint, and she did well in school too. Got into a top middle school in the city, but we were too broke to send her, though she didn’t let that hold her back, got into a top high school too. I talked it over with her mom, insisting we let her go, but she wouldn’t have it.

beamed with pride as he

the ordinary, except for the bit about moving to West district high school. Kent remembered Brandon graduated

to steer the conversation back, “Before you guys accidentally lost her, was she just as sweet

chuckle, Haley breezed over the question, “Absolutely, she’s been a good kid

smart, who wouldn’t love that? Got any photos of her as a kid? I’m kinda curious what she

spare cash to snap photos.’ Haley waved his hand dismissively and took a big swig from hi glass. “You’ve taken a shine

admit outright that he was crushing on Sophia too, since his phone was

to pass on a message to Brandon after sending back the money before she left. The look Brandon gave him could kill, and his snarky tone alone was enough to give Kent a rough

in booze. “She’s got a personality that everyone adores. How come her mom can’t stand her? Is there really such

glass. “Guess some people

venting. “You’d think family should get along, right? Sophia’s always been the peace-loving, dutiful type. But her mother’s the drama queen, always stirring up a storm at home. Like the money they returned a while ago, Sophia insisted on giving it back to Mr. Crawley. Her mother’s been holding a grudge, ranting about cutting

chiming in; he remembered the incident but didn’t realize there was

shouldn’t have taken Mr. Crawley’s money. It puts Sophia in a tough spot, stuck in the middle. But I don’t call the shots at home; no one listens to

Yearwood, have some food, don’t hit the

and chatted with him until Sophia’s brother Aaron