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?”

her. With his creds, what kind

for a moment

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

“Let’s

an arm around Sophia’s shoulder

grip loosened, and the ID she was holding dropped. Bending down to

as her ID

belatedly realized the

mellow voice said as he lifted his font

contact with

Sophis? He sounded unsure.

didn’t recognize him at

Chapter 6

greeted with surprise,

That jogged Sophia’s memory

the School of Architecture, three years ahead. When she was a freshman, he was a

face-handsome, talented in design, excellent and disciplined, praised by teachers and peers alike. His only flaw was being a bit cold, keeping everyone at arm’s length,

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

mumbled a greeting, a bit

to mind her lapse in recognition and politely returned

conversation. “Long time no see, Ivan. Never thought

smiled. “It’s been a

chatting with a senior about you, and here

watch, she asked Ivan. “Are you in a hurry?

checked the time

flight, they chose a quieter restaurant with live music near the airport. Once seated, Susan passed the menu to

“Anything’s fine.”

Anything’s fine.”

at the same

paused, then looked at them with a smile.

the menu back to Susan and Ivan. “You guys

sleep, but her appetite was

didn’t decline this time and

in thought over the

interrupt, instead scanning the place out of sheer boredom. And then, someone

followed Sophia’s gaze and spotted Patricia at the next table, back to Sophia, bad-mouthing her son and daughter-in-law. “No peep

hearing someone ask Patricia,

no help with his career, and her family’s a burden. Suggested they split and find someone new, but no go. Thought maybe they were tight, but now I see my boy’s just too responsible to ditch his

looked at Sophia,