The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 11

Sophia had just cleared security when Ivan finished up too

They headed to the boarding gate together, keeping a bit of distance one after the other, barely exchanging words along the way.

Once they reached the security hall, they each plopped down onto their own patch of empty seats.

Ivan took the spot next to Sophia, whipped out his phone the moment he sat down, looking like he was swamped with

work

Sophia didn’t peep a word, her gaze drifting from the bustling crowd in the gate area to the window outside.

Outside the sky was gradually darkening

The tarmac was ablaze with lights, planes taking off and landing, the night merging with the lights, slowly deepening the sense of parting

–

Sophia thought back to that call with Brandon – picked up and then abruptly dropped her fingertips grazing the edge. of her phone She felt nowhere near as calm as she had expected.

Brandon always had a way of getting under her skin, no matter what.

She wanted to call him back ask what was up, but then she remembered their goodbye, how he’d hugged her gently. told her to take care, and the determined stride he took as he walked away. Her fingers, which had been caressing the edge of her phone, finally relaxed and she shifted her gaze to the specks of light outside the window.

The unease in her gut wasn’t letting up. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse

She was in for a flight over ten hours long, and she was starting to worry about a mid-air body breakdown. Her hand instinctively pressed against her chest, hesitating whether she should grab some meds.

Ivan glanced up at her. “Feeling off?”

Sophia gave a slight shake of her head. “I’m fine

Her eyes caught a glimpse of a pharmacy nearby and paused for a moment.

Ivan picked up on her pause “Not feeling well?

Sophia, a tad embarrassed Yeah probably didn’t sleep well last night and didn’t eat much today. My stomach’s throwing a bit of a fit”

Stomach

on cue, a wave of nausea hit Sophia, and she couldn’t hold back

get you some meds before

Sophia nodded.

pharmacy was just to the side, next to a food joint, its rich food

raised a hand to block her nose and looked over at the pharmacy staff, asking for

staffer a cautious pharmacist

“No, just

long has this been

“Just started this moming.”

“How long exactly?”

I got up, but felt

Chapter

her mind, her eyes widening

the pungent seafood smell triggering another wave of nausea. Sophia turned away instinctively, gagging, while Ivan quickly patted her back,

up blankly, pale

hand on her shoulder paused, worry

twist a smile

scene, and his steps slowed

ambiguously comforting, and Brandon, not too far but not too close, could easily see the tenderness in Sophia’s smile towards Ivan, and the hidden adoration and concern in Ivan’s

would lean so affectionately into another man’s arms, her unique gentle smile blooming for someone else. The sight clenched his

didn’t know why he’d

of this man’s presence, he’d still chosen

and Sophia had already said their goodbyes. There was no

wasn’t necessary either. Departing was her choice, and he

his head emotionlessly, without a hint of reluctance, and walked

around, her gaze inadvertently sweeping

behind her, but the familiar

in her gaze, and looked to the pharmacy staff. “Excuse me, could I get a box of

snapped to

at Sophia, surprised, but still handed over a

headed to

the test result, her mind felt empty,

even more bewildering than her first

just panicked and clueless, unsure of

a deathly