The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 390

Sophia knew way back when she first met Aaron that the day would come sooner or later.

Haley's call came several days later than she had anticipated.

"I had a daughter abroad," Sophia said softly, no longer hiding it; there was no point, since Brandon and Theresa had already spilled the beans in front of Aaron.

"You silly girl, getting pregnant and not giving the family a heads-up," Haley couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache, "Bet you've had a tough time out there, huh?"

"It's been alright. It's all water under the bridge now," Sophia turned her attention back to him, "Dad, how have you been feeling lately?"

"Ah, pretty good," Haley couldn't resist the urge to ramble, "Your brother and sister-in-law were saying Betty's gonna start school in a couple of years and they wanted to move to a better school district. They took out a loan and bought a place downtown, and they've all moved in already. I was thinking about giving you

a ring then, but with you overseas and the time difference being a pain, and it being a hassle for you to fly back, I didn't mention it."

"That's okay, Dad," Sophia reassured him gently, not wanting to add to his worries.

"When can you bring my granddaughter home for a visit?" Haley hesitated before asking, "I'm not getting any younger, and after that big car accident, I'm not in the shape I used to be. I'd really like to see your kid."

At this, Haley felt a sense of relief. "It's great, Sophia, your finally have your own child."

Sophia felt a lump in her throat at his words.

Sophia hesitated, "I won't be coming home, but how about I take you out for a meal sometime soon, is that okay?"

"Sure, sure!" Haley was as excited as a kid in a candy store, "When you find the time, give me a call. I won't keep you from your work now."

"Alright."

Sophia hung up the phone, holding it in both hands as she tried to calm her

emotions.

Outside, Marian, who just happened to look up at that moment, saw the sadness on Sophia's face and frowned in confusion, her feelings a complex mix.

To her, Sophia seemed like she had it all.

for learning anything and everything, aced it at an elite school, a passion for design with talent

wealthy and doting Brandon and a smart, beautiful daughter, Marian couldn't understand what Sophia could possibly be

Marian had something even

Theresa to the office, Marian found out that

little girl, born on the sly

Marian felt life

a child while studying and didn't let it derail her from scholarships,

fingers to the bone, yet

whipped up for her child to play with were hailed as masterpieces by

work versus the one she picked up,

got nothing but rejection left her

Marian's eyes, everything Sophia wished

she returned home, a

design she had altered beyond recognition. She put on a brave

I've revised my design,

handed over the eagerly revised design to

run into the original creator. But now, knowing their connection and sharing an office, Marian didn't dare to use it and had been burning the midnight oil to make major changes, finally getting it to the point where it was hardly recognizable as the original. She

took the design with a beaming, hopeful smile and then looked it over, his

Louis said delicately, "I think the original one was pretty good as it was, no need to change it. You've worked so hard on this, it breaks

good at all, too rough," Marian threw a fit, and then clung to Louis's arm, cooing, "Grandpa, this one's got more depth,

in a

in at just that moment. "What's

to this one,"

glanced at it, his brow furrowing, then handed it

has already been submitted with the project to

Marian's voice shot

"What's wrong?"

Marian's reaction, instinctively looking at her and asking in

with anxiety. "How could you

you mean without your consent." Martin frowned, "Didn't I confirm with you that day

I said I wanted to make some changes," Marian was on the verge

felt guilty. "It's my fault. I

chops over it," Martin said, glancing at Marian. "The real VIPs for this project are Grandma and Grandpa, and then there's me. Both Grandma and Grandpa are chuffed to bits with