The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 488

Daniel only thought of Marian halfway through his walk, so he turned back

apologetically and flashed her a grin, "I'm gonna pop over there for a sec; you dig in, okay?"

Marian managed a weak smile, "Sure."

Daniel, with his plate in hand, sat down across from Sophia as if he was worried she hadn't noticed his arrival. He even cleared his throat on purpose and started somewhat irritably, "Why are you eating alone?"

Sophia looked up in surprise, finding Daniel's behavior today totally off the wall.

She didn't respond, and just kept eating her meal in silence.

Daniel felt instantly miffed, "I'm talking to you, didn't you hear?"

Sophia had no choice but to look up, "What's up?"

Daniel was stumped.

He had no clue what he wanted, nor why he was even looking for Sophia.

It was his curiosity about all the odd stuff going on with Brandon that had led him on this impromptu mission to follow her.

Seeing that he didn't have a comeback, Sophia didn't waste her time with more chit-chat and went back to her meal.

Daniel had to say something, "So, what's the deal with you and Brandon now?"

Sophia couldn't tell if he was beating around the bush about why she hadn't taken off yet. She was totally in the dark.

She stopped eating and looked at him, "Spill it, no need to beat around the bush." Daniel was speechless.

He was just making conversation for the sake of it, really.

"You don't have to

he should say something to save face, but his mind was a blank, and he was clueless about what

couldn't bring himself to

wanted her to go, but was scared that if she really

himself to

be like slapping his own

this conundrum, he sat there awkwardly, unable to utter a word. Sophia, having dealt

being pushy or acting all high and mighty, just plain old

that said "seriously?", Sophia decided to ignore him and continued

on what he thought was a

stopped, and

alarm and defensiveness rise in her eyes; she obviously mistook his intent as wanting to snatch the

mean," Daniel tried to clarify, "no matter what, she's a Crawley, and should be recognized as

no need

off sharply, and her appetite was

things, "I'm full. Gotta head

to leave, but Daniel quickly stood up and called after her, "Wait, I was just throwing it out there; I'm not insisting the kid comes back or anything.

a look of bewilderment and without another

walked

that Sophia might take the kid and leave because of this. He could pretend not to care about her leaving, but he couldn't ignore what it would

whole exchange

clear to her that Daniel's attitude toward Sophia had changed. It wasn't love, but it was no longer the rejection like before; instead, it had a

tune, especially since she was the

left a sour taste in her mouth. It was like his exclusive affection for

she headed back

was a bit of a blur that afternoon, especially when

classmate for over two years, Marian was well aware

even though Sophia wasn't the showy type, her demure and gentle charm was exactly what the guys adored, making her the type everyone wanted to protect. So despite not seeking the