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.

after Sophia 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 ties with the

Barbara

never imagined she'd bump into Barbara

arms, hadn't laid eyes on Sophia in over

eyes, puzzled at the woman who affectionately called her mom by

the little one in her arms, turned to

She had kept mum about Theresa even to her own family, not even a

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

right up Laura and

tad embarrassed, swiftly changed the subject with a

came back

to avoid a run-in, she quickly apologized to Barbara, "My friend's waiting inside for us, so we better head in. We'll

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

Betty, shy and not quite recognizing Sophia,

remember Auntie?

girl hesitantly waved but remained

and coaxed Theresa to wave too. Theresa obligingly fluttered

a smile, clueless about Theresa's relationship with Sophia. Not wanting to pry, she watched Sophia walk away before answering her

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

parking lot is grubby and stuffy. Betty and I are by the

annoyed, and hung up without another

with nowhere to vent. His can of iced tea was empty, and in a spur

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

up, was