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.

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

with Barbara fizzled

never imagined she'd bump into Barbara like

over four years old and nestled in Barbara's arms, hadn't laid eyes on Sophia in over two years and barely recognized

too, gazed with her doe eyes, puzzled at the woman who affectionately called her mom by

in her arms, turned to Sophia with a start,

kept mum about Theresa even to her

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

was right up Laura and

embarrassed, swiftly changed the subject with a chuckle, "When did

back over

to avoid a run-in, she quickly apologized to Barbara, "My friend's waiting

Barbara said with a parting smile, and then coaxed Betty, "Say

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

"Don't you remember Auntie?

little girl hesitantly waved but remained mute, still puzzled over

waved goodbye, and coaxed Theresa to wave too.

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

was tinged with impatience on the other

and stuffy. Betty and

annoyed, and hung up without another

His can of iced tea was empty, and in a spur of the moment, he chucked the can into the

caught sight of a red can flying his way. Dodging instinctively, his hand

looking up,