The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 8

At the restaurant, Patricia frowned upon seeing Brandon’s response and couldn’t help but glance at Ivan and Sophia, obviously skeptical. She shot back a message to Brandon [If he’s your guy, what’s his name?]

But there was no reply on WhatsApp.

Patricia’s face started to cloud over as she waited without a response, and she couldn’t help but look at Sophia again.

The gal sitting across from her was just as puzzled and looked at Sophia before turning to Patricia. “What’s up?”

She didn’t know Sophia or recognize her.

Patricia shook her head It’s nothing.”

But her eyes were still fixed on Sophia, with a touch of petulance and a not-so-quiet voice, not to mention her strong presence. Sophia couldn’t help but furrow her brows and instinctively turned around, locking eyes with Patricia.

Patricia was still holding her phone, showing no signs of embarrassment at being caught in the act. She just calmly glanced at Sophia without saying hi

Sophia didn’t make a move to say hi either, just calmly returned her gaze after a brief eye contact.

Ivan looked at her thoughtfully. An acquaintance?”

Sophia nodded with a smile. “Yeah. She didn’t elaborate.

Seeing she wasn’t getting a greeting from Sophia, Patricia’s face sunk, but she was still perched on her elder’s high horse, not quite ready to cross that line. Probably trying to give Sophia a nudge, she picked up her phone again and sent Brandon a voice message. Brandon, don’t cover for Sophia all the time. Busy as you are with work, you still gotta keep an eye on your wife. Sophia’s a married woman, after all. I trust she wouldn’t do anything untoward, but it would look bad if acquaintances started gossiping.”

She didn’t bother to lower her voice.

Sophia could hear her, but didn’t respond, just sipped her tea as if nothing was amiss.

Still no peep from Brandon on WhatsApp.

Patricia, used to carrying her elder’s authority, couldn’t stand being ignored by the younger generation and lost her temper. She got up and walked over to Sophia, standing between her and Ivan. She glanced at Ivan as if by accident, then turned to Sophia. “Sophia, who’s this?”

She was polite and composed, so Sophia politely introduced him “This is my senior.”

Patricia sized up Ivan from her lofty position and reached out to him. “Hello, I’m Sophia’s mother-in-law.”

Ivan nodded politely. “Hello”

Patricia didn’t get the deference or the panic she expected. She gave Ivan another look, then couldn’t help but turn to Sophia. “Sophia, you’re a married woman. You should be mindful of how it looks when you’re with other men.”

Then she added with an affable smile. “Also, if you need money or anything, just talk to the family. Don’t always have your folks come over. Doesn’t sound good if it gets out.”

cup, turned

money for buying the villa.

“I’m not aware of this situation. I apologize for any inconvenience caused,

to return every penny

“Ivan, I’m sorry, but I have some things to take care of and aught have to

‘Do you need help

sled and declined, Ro, thank

Chapter 8

had already signaled the waiter. “Where are you headed? Let me drop

but thank

was visibly upset but tried to keep her temper

the commotion, hurriedly wrapped up her phone call

at Susan, Susan, I might have to catch up

need to Susan pulled her, “When I’m free, I’ll fly

at her watch. Just keep an eye on

Sophia nodded. “I know.”

was just a few minutes away

got home, Aaron and Laura were there, debating over which apartment layout to choose, with most

looked up at the clock in confusion. “Weren’t you supposed to be on a flight this

over with an expressionless face, bent down to grab the

Laura were startled by her sudden

“What’s wrong?

calmly tossed the pieces into the trash and reached out to them. “Give it

at each other, confused. “Give you

Sophia said, The money!”

and Laura didn’t say

just looked at them calmly. “What did I remind you before? Brandon and I are divorced, and you shouldn’t bother them anymore. And what happened? It hasn’t been long, and you’ve already let my words

who said you weren’t divorced.” Aaron quickly explained, coming to his senses, “And the money was offered

you don’t go to him,

but I wasn’t asking for money. Aaron scratched his head, looking a bit guilty. “And it’s not like we’re not giving it back. Just borrowed it for now and will

you return

was stumped and only after a while timidly said. “If we really can’t pay it back, then we won’t.

and laughed out of frustration. Just because he doesn’t lack the money, you

he marries you off and you’re fussing over giving us a bit

it’s not easy for mom and dad either. They fell head over heels for that house. If we miss this chance, there’s no other If

to foot the bill for everything she takes a shine to? Sophia, keeping het cool, said, “That’s not our money

Chapter 8

“Give back what? The down payment’s

cancel the

cancel, we won’t get the

money spent