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.

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

with Barbara fizzled

never imagined she'd bump into Barbara like

eyes on Sophia in over two years and barely

puzzled at the woman who affectionately called her mom

the little one in her arms, turned to Sophia

about Theresa even to

for fear of losing face for being a single mom. She simply dreaded the thought of them sniffing out that

up Laura and Aaron's

changed the subject with

came back

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 other

said with a parting smile, and then coaxed Betty, "Say bye- bye to

Betty." Betty, shy and not quite recognizing Sophia, just gazed with her big

Barbara nudged, "Don't you remember Auntie? This

hesitantly waved

didn't sweat it, waved goodbye, and coaxed Theresa to wave

returned the wave with a smile, clueless about Theresa's relationship with Sophia. Not wanting to pry, she watched Sophia walk away

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

and stuffy. Betty and I are by the main

annoyed, and hung up

His can of iced tea was empty, and

can flying his way. Dodging

looking up,