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.

hit up Laura and Aaron to 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, they gave her the WhatsApp chop. Just like that, Sophia's

with Barbara

bump into

on Sophia in over two years and barely recognized

puzzled at the woman who affectionately called her mom by her first

her arms, turned to Sophia with a start, "And this

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

wasn't for fear of losing face for being a single mom. She simply dreaded the thought of them sniffing

up Laura and Aaron's

swiftly changed the subject

came back

Aaron was lurking nearby. Keen to avoid a run-in, she quickly apologized to Barbara, "My friend's waiting inside for us, so we

said with a parting smile, and

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

"Don't you remember Auntie? This is Auntie

waved but remained mute, still puzzled over Sophia's

it, waved goodbye, and coaxed Theresa to wave too. Theresa obligingly fluttered

smile, clueless about Theresa's relationship with Sophia. Not wanting

on the other end, "Didn't I

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

clearly annoyed, and hung up without

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

just stepping out of his car, caught sight of a red can flying his way. Dodging instinctively, his hand shot up and caught the

looking up, was