The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 15

Sophia finally checked Yvonne’s WhatsApp message the day after she got off the plane.

The two of them weren’t exactly tight.

Yvonne tied the knot early, and Sophia and Brandon didn’t shack up with his folks at the Crawley family estate. They didn’t swing by often, so the chances to hang out were few and far between. On the odd holiday, they’d reluctantly gather for a meal, but Yvonne, with her head over heels in love, played to her hubby’s tune: if he said no to visiting, she’d dig her heels in too. So, bumping into each other was rarer than hen’s teeth.

They weren’t close in real life, and online chit-chat was pretty much non-existent, especially since Sophia wasn’t exactly Miss Social Butterfly

Yvonne, on the other hand, loved to chirp away in the family group chat. Sophia would only pipe up when directly called out, otherwise her WhatsApp was just for show, same as Brandon’s That was why when Yvonne hit her up out of the blue, asking if she was home. Sophia found it odd but still replied politely. [Sorry, I was on a flight with my phone off yesterday. I’m not there anymore, what’s up?]

Yvonne had waited a whole day for Sophia’s reply, and by then, her enthusiasm had fizzled out, even feeling tad snubbed. She had a bit of a princess temper – quick to flare up and cool down. Still stewing, she curtly responded. “Never mind, it’s nothing.”

Yvonne wasn’t close to Sophia, nor could she say she liked or disliked her. The day before, she felt choked up about their divorce purely because Sophia was her sister-in-law, and the reality of Brandon’s failed marriage hadn’t quite sunk in But after a night to let it settle, she’d come to terms with the possibility of their divorce. Sophia’s place in her heart had reset to stranger that was all she ever was, an accidental interloper in their lives.

Maybe it was the ingrained notion since childhood that Phoebe and Brandon were a pair, and even with Phoebe off the radar for years, Yvonne always assumed Brandon was waiting for her. So, when he brought Sophia into the picture, she got it but needed a hot minute to adjust to the reality of Sophia replacing Phoebe. Now, just when she had gotten used to that, she had to revert to her original presumption, which wasn’t too hard.

She even leaned toward believing what her mother Patricia said, that Brandon and Sophia got hitched because of a baby

No baby stayed, and now they’ve gone their separate ways.

Her brother Brandon was always meant to wait for Phoebe.

Thinking this way, Yvonne felt a twinge of pity for Sophia. The irritation she had felt evaporated, and to make amends for her earlier tone, she texted Sophia again. [Hey Sophia, what were you doing on a plane? Where you off to?]

Sophia found Yvonne’s mood swings weird. Just a second ago, it was clear she was sulking, and now suddenly, she was all eager to please.

Yvonne had never shown outright disdain, but she kept her distance, which Sophia had picked up on. Knowing she wasn’t welcomed, Sophia didn’t push it.

For two years, they kept to their lanes and all was well, but Sophia didn’t expect Yvonne to suddenly turn on the charm post-divorce.

Not able to figure her out, Sophia responded casually. [I’m abroad for some stuff.)

Yvonne, reassured by the reply, wasn’t really prying into Sophia’s whereabouts. It was more about easing her own slight guilt. Sophia’s response just deepened her hunch about the divorce, but after sleeping on it, she didn’t care as much, so she replied politely [Oh, okay then. Take care of yourself]

You too take care.]

the courteous exchange, Sophia

cab back to her place, a single-room apartment near the school she’d arranged through

from the airport, ivan stepped in to help and escorted

Chapter

settling in, Sophia offered to treat him to a meal, but after scoping out her digs, Ivan suggested, ‘Let’s

was taken aback and

about her pregnancy; he was an acquaintance, after all. But he must’ve figured

hadn’t mentioned it.

“What’s

ask her that

same question tugged at Sophia’s

shook her head with a smile,

I live in this building too. If

her number, letting her phone ring

said. “Save it, and call

phone,

saw the confusion in her

I didn’t expect you still had the same one,” he

change it because it was a hassle, but I’m planning

the same number since senior year of high

lingering hopes and dreams for that boy who warmed her heart during her girlhood days, not wanting to forget, even though it

gave her a deep look, then suddenly asked, “What’s

Sophia paused.

waiting, expecting

a good guy,” she said, struggling to find the right adjectives to describe Brandon. In her eyes, he was indeed a good person-gentle, considerate, loyal to marriage.

and changed the subject. “Need

and shook her head. “No need, thanks though,

nodded, not insisting Take

nodded. ‘Will

Ivan left, Sophia headed to the hospital for a blood test to check her hCG levels. The results confirmed what the pregnancy test had already

sat on a bench

setting sun draped over her, stretching her already