The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

"Madam," Sophia softened her voice, offering gentle reassurance, "Why don't you head back and get srest? I'll cvisit in a

couple of days, okay?"

Renata shook her head on the spot. "Nope, you should stay over. Otherwise, you'll vanish again in no time."

Sophia was momentarily stumped and turned to look at the others for help.

The others were equally at a loss, taking turns trying to patiently persuade the stubborn Renata, who was adamant about leaving

with Sophia.

Just as the standoff continued, Patricia's puzzled voice rang out from behind. "What's going on here?"

Sophia had her back to Patricia as she faced Renata. Hearing the voice, she hesitated for a split second, her lips pursing slightly,

but she didn't turn around.

The others, not catching Sophia's reaction, had already turned their attention to Patricia and Daniel, who was stepping out of the

car.

"What brings you here?" Rachel asked with a smile.

"We heard Renata went missing and were worried sick, so we rushed over," Patricia said with forced casualness as she approached

with concern, "How is it? Did you find her?"

"Yeah, we found her, thanks to Sophia here."

Rachel said with a smile, then turned to introduce Sophia, "See, Renata still won't let her leave."

"Sophia?"

Patricia frowned, instinctively looking up at Renata before noticing Sophia standing beside her, her frown deepening.

Daniel had also locked the car and was walking over when he saw Sophia, slowing his pace.

Noticing the odd expressions, Rachel frowned slightly, "Do you guys know each other?"

Patricia wanted to say that Sophia was Brandon's ex-wife, but seeing Marian and the entire Frost family there, and not wanting to

dredge up Brandon's past marriage and possibly create an awkward situation, she just laughed it off without responding.

Sophia didn't respond either and wasn't keen on sticking around. She turned to Renata with patience, "Madam, | really have to go.

Could you please go back and rest?"

Perhaps sensing Sophia's change in mood, Renata's grip on Sophia's hand loosened a bit, her confused face showing a hint of hurt.

Sophia was flooded with guilt but forced herself to steel her heart and not intervene.

Renata, reluctant to let go, cup with a compromise after sthought, "Then could you leave your phone number? I'll call you

when | have the time, okay?"

Patricia, trying to be helpful, chimed in, "Renata, no need for that. We've got plenty of people here. Anything comes up, just reach

out to us. No need to trouble Sophia."

"Shut your trap." Renata suddenly snapped at her with a cold face.

Patricia was taken aback.

Having known Renata for years, before and after her illness, she had always been graceful, kind, and gentle, speaking softly and

never raising her voice, let alone scolding anyone. This was the first tPatricia had been rebuked and she was momentarily at a

loss for words. When she did recover, the embarrassment of being scolded in public made her complexion worsen.

Rachel, also not expecting the outburst, quickly stepped in to soothe Patricia, "Renata's been getting worse lately, and her

temper's been a bit off. Don't take it to heart."

Patricia forced a laugh, "It's okay. | just didn't want someone to take advantage of her in her confused state."

This comment seemed to trigger Renata again.

Turning to push Patricia away, Renata insisted, "Get out, get out now! Don't you dare talk about my Yoli like that."

Everyone was shocked by her reaction and worried she might hurt herself, so they quickly stepped in to hold her back.

Renata, however, pushed the others away, protectively placing Sophia behind her, and reassured Sophia like comforting a baby,

"Don't be scared, Yoli. I'm here, and no one's gonna mess with you."

Tears threatened to spill from Sophia's eyes as she was overwhelmed with emotion. She turned her head slightly, holding the tears

back with great effort.

She crouched down to be at eye level with Renata, choking up as she thanked her, "Thank you, madam. I'm okay."

Seeing the tears welling up in Sophia's eyes, Renata clumsily lifted her hand, trying to wipe them away, while soothingly saying,

"Don't cry, Yoli."

Sophia had never been comforted and protected like this before. Unable to hold back any longer, her tears cascaded down.

Renata, Louis, and the others panicked, hurrying forward to help.

"I'm fine." Sophia sniffed awkwardly, quickly making up an excuse, "I just suddenly thought of my granny."

Everyone assumed she was overcwith emotion and breathed a sigh of relief.

Renata raised her hand to wipe Sophia's tears, and Sophia let her caress her cheeks without resistance.

After a while, Renata slowly retracted her hand, and Sophia said goodbye once more.

This tRenata didn't stop her but shakily took out her phone, insisting on getting Sophia's number.

Patricia watched anxiously, wanting to intervene but held back, remembering Renata's earlier outburst.

Hesitantly, Sophia took Renata's phone in response to her hopeful look and dialed her own number.

When Sophia's phone rang, she handed Renata's phone back, "Madam, that's my number."

Renata's joy was childlike as she turned to have Rachel save the number.

Sophia said her goodbyes.

"Lethave our driver take you home."

Louis offered, turning to tell Marian to call the family driver, but Sophia stopped him, "No need. | have a friend living nearby, and

I'd like to drop by her place."

"Then let the driver take you to your friend's."

Louis insisted, again about to turn for the driver.

"Really, it's fine." Sophia refused once more, not wanting any involvement with them or Brandon's parents, "I'd prefer to walk

over."

Seeing Sophia so set in her ways, Louis didn't want to push it.

"Alright then, just give us a buzz when you get home, so we can chill out," he reminded her.

Sophia nodded, said her goodbyes to Renata, and took off.

Louis, helping Renata back to the yard, got a helping hand from Marian, who was sweet enough to pitch in.

Rachel and Gerald were still standing there, watching Sophia as she made her exit.

Patricia and Daniel hadn't taken off either.

Daniel just frowned, watching Sophia's retreating figure without much expression.

Patricia caught the way the old lady had called Sophia “Yoli” and couldn't shake off her concern. Finally, she couldn't help but turn

to Rachel and ask, "What's this Yoli business? Was Renata off her rocker just now, mistaking people left and right?"

"Maybe her illness has flared up again," Rachel said, looking at her with a worried glance.

The old lady might have been confused before, but she'd never mistaken someone for Yolanda.

Patricia remembered Renata didn't have this sort of mix-up.

"Could someone be deliberately muddying the waters?" she suggested, glancing at Sophia walking away.

Sophia's step faltered for a moment, then, as if she hadn't heard, she quickened her pace.

Rachel and Gerald, not noticing Sophia, frowned at Patricia, "What do you mean?"

After a moment's hesitation, Patricia spilled the beans, "That girl, she's Brandon's ex-wife."

Rachel and Gerald were shocked.

"She somehow snagged Brandon back in the day with a pregnancy claim," Patricia continued, "She knows about Yolanda and

Brandon's history, and I'm just worried."

Patricia trailed off.

Rachel and Gerald exchanged worried glances.

Finally, Rachel gave Patricia a light scolding, "Patricia, don't make wild accusations without proof. The girl's done nothing but good,

just saved my dad a while back, and today my mom, without asking for anything in return. Don't always assthe worst of

people."

Patricia frowned back at her, "She saved Louis, too? Isn't that a bit too coincidental?"

Daniel, not wanting her to get too involved in other people's business, cut her off, "Let's head back and check on Renata first."

Gerald, seizing the opportunity, ushered them inside, "Let's go in for now."

The voices behind her faded away, and the footsteps becdistant. Sophia didn't turn back, nor did she stop. She just ambled

along, letting the night breeze caress her cheeks.

She was slowly leaving the Frost family mansion behind, still in the old villa district, with the big plane trees, the cobblestone

footpaths, and the greenery-covered iron fences making her feel like she was in a daze until she reached the bustling main road,

which snapped her back to reality.

Sophia hailed a cab.

Once inside, she finally had a moment to check her phone.

Grace had sent her a message updating her on their whereabouts with Theresa.

In the latest message, Grace told her they were hand not to worry.

Sophia shot back a "Got it," and then, out of habit, opened the front door surveillanceto check in.

After a brief moment of loading, the live feed popped up, and there was not only Grace at the front door but also Brandon, holding

Theresa in his arms.

Sophia's movements cto an abrupt halt.

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