The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 381

"Barbara?"

Sophia called out somewhat uncertainly, taken aback by the encounter. She

hadn't expected to bump into Barbara here.

Barbara was her brother Aaron's better half.

Ever since Sophia split from the family over two years ago, she hadn't seen hide nor hair of Barbara or her niece, Betty, not even a message.

Barbara and Aaron were both six years older than Sophia, high school sweethearts since their sophomore year, while Sophia was just a sixth grader.

Their romance was on the down low, away from the prying eyes of their folks, so naturally, there were no family meet and greets.

Aaron was never one to roll out the welcome mat for Sophia, and didn't go out of his way to introduce her to Barbara.

It wasn't until Sophia's freshman spring semester in college that she got wind of Barbara's existence, right when college grads Aaron and Barbara made it official and tied the knot.

Sophia was MIA at their wedding. No invite came her way.

Later that year, when she headed home for the Christmas, Barbara had already whisked Aaron off to her folks' place, so their paths didn't cross.

In the following years, aside from few times during Christmas when Sophia went back to see her parents, her home visits were few and far between, what with the cool family vibes and the hustle of putting herself through college. So, running into Barbara was rare as hen's teeth.

It wasn't until Sophia graduated, married Brandon, and moved to West district that she and Barbara had a proper face-to-face. But since they hardly crossed paths and there was nothing much to chat about in private, they never bothered to connect. Family matters were just a shout away in the family chat group.

they shook down from Brandon, Laura, in a fit of pique, booted her from the family group chat, and along with Aaron, they gave her the

Barbara fizzled out

never imagined she'd bump

over four years old and nestled in Barbara's arms, hadn't laid eyes on Sophia in over two years and barely recognized her, staring with wide-eyed curiosity

doe eyes, puzzled at the woman who affectionately called her

the little one in her arms, turned

a loss for words. She had kept mum about Theresa even to her

being a single mom. She simply dreaded the thought of them sniffing out that Theresa was a Crawley kid and using it to blackmail

was right up

Sophia's reluctance, Barbara, a tad embarrassed, swiftly changed the subject with a chuckle, "When did

came back

sure if Aaron was lurking nearby. Keen to avoid a run-in, she quickly apologized to Barbara, "My friend's waiting inside for us, so we better head in. We'll catch up some

with a parting smile, and then coaxed Betty,

heartstrings. She waved to Betty, "Bye, Betty." Betty, shy and not quite recognizing Sophia, just gazed with her big

"Don't you remember Auntie? This is Auntie

girl hesitantly waved

and coaxed Theresa to wave too. Theresa

about Theresa's relationship with Sophia. Not wanting to pry, she watched Sophia

Aaron's voice was tinged with impatience on the other end, "Didn't I tell you to wait in the parking

grubby and stuffy. Betty and I are by the main entrance.

clearly annoyed, and hung up without

his temper flaring with nowhere to vent. His can of iced tea was empty, and in a spur of the moment, he chucked the can into the air and punted it away with a

caught sight of a red can flying his

up, was