The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 6

Sophin’s flight was scheduled for 6 PM, and her busy bee buddy Susan managed to squeeze in some time to drop her

off at the airport

“So, what’s up with the sudden divorce and heading back to school? In the bustling check-in hall, Susan helped Sophia heave her suitcase onto the conveyor belt and turned to quiz her.

She’d met Sophia after transferring high schools, shared senior year and even college with her, majoring in the same thing. They were like night and day-one bubbly and outspoken, the other quiet and well-behaved-but that didn’t put a

dent in their friendship.

Post-college, Susan didn’t go for a gig related to her degree. She dived into real estate, schmoozing for a mall, which meant she was on the road most of the time

She’d just made it back from a trip when she heard the bombshell. Sophia was divorced and gearing up for a master’s

degree

Sophia’s whirlwind marriage to Brandon had been a shocker for Susan too. The couple seemed like strangers at reunions, barely mingling, and then bam! Less than a month later, they tied the knot. Now, out of the blue, they were

splitsville

She was stumped

In the middle of check-in, Sophia shot Susan a look Just wanted a change of pace.”

Susan raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with life now? No job, but you’re taken care of. That’s the kind of deal most people can only dream of

Sophia replied, “Better to rely on yourself than others. Plus, I didn’t marry Brandon for his cash.”

Susan prodded, “So what’s the deal then? Brandon doesn’t strike me as a jerk.”

In Susan’s book, marriages hit the skids over major differences or cheating. But neither Sophia nor Brandon fit the bill.

Sophia said, “It’s not about him. It’s me.

Susan chuckled, “A fly-by-night marriage, and now a flash divorce. You weren’t in some kind of contract marriage, were you?”

Sophia scoffed, Contract marriages are for people who want something. What would I have that he’d want?”

Susan shot back, ‘Looks, figure, education, smarts-take your pick. Any of those worth chasing?”

at her. With his creds, what kind of woman couldn’t he

for

her ID and boarding pass Sophia glanced at her watch “Still got some time Grab a

nodded. “Let’s

slung an arm around Sophia’s shoulder to

the ID she was

only watch as her

belatedly

as he lifted his font

made eye contact with the shoe

Sophis? He sounded unsure.

recognize him

Chapter 6

over, greeted with surprise, “Ivan

That jogged Sophia’s memory

ahead. When she was a freshman, he was a senior and had been their

and peers alike. His only flaw was being a bit cold, keeping everyone at arm’s length, not unlike

herself, quiet by nature and not a fan of socializing or attention seeking. So even though Ivan had mentored their class, aside from necessary academic interactions, she scarcely dealt with him. Post-graduation, they’d lost touch, and now here they were, crossing

Ivan.” Sophia mumbled a greeting,

to mind her lapse in recognition and politely returned

conversation. “Long time no see, Ivan. Never thought we’d bump into

“It’s

I was chatting with a senior about you, and here you are. Talk

at her watch, she asked Ivan. “Are you in

time and nodded,

avoid missing the flight, they chose a quieter restaurant with live music near the airport. Once seated, Susan passed the menu to Sophia and Ivan. Check out what you’re

“Anything’s fine.”

Anything’s fine.”

at the

paused, then looked at them with a

the menu back to Susan and Ivan. “You

sleep, but her appetite was nowhere to be

this time

deep in thought over the

boredom. And then, someone

to Sophia, bad-mouthing her son and daughter-in-law. “No peep from my daughter-in-law’s belly

ask Patricia, “Brandon

burden. Suggested they split and find someone new, but no

looked at