The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

"Can't you guys give my feelings a thought for once?" Sophia's eyes were brimming with tears, staring at him. "Brandon and |

never got together because of love. It was an 'oops' baby that forced us to tie the knot, and we've never had any real emotional

foundation. His folks can't standeither; they think | schemed my way into their family. And you and Mom keep going to them

under my name, which only convinces them more that I'm after their fand fortune. The two years | spent with them were hell,

and now that I've finally started to move on, can you please not stir the pot? Can't we just stand on our own two feet?"

Brandon happened to walk over at that moment, pausing slightly as his gaze landed complexly on Sophia.

Sophia's eyes were moist as she looked at Aaron, pleadingly.

She was practically begging Aaron, trying to appeal to his emotions to persuade him.

But clearly, Aaron was immune to this emotional card.

He just frowned impatiently. "Not being liked by the in-laws is your problem. Look, you're not exactly Ms. Congeniality at home

either; you can't get along with anyone. With your attitude, you really need to shape up, otherwise, you'll never get along with

anybody. You need to reflect on how to be a good wife, a good daughter-in-law."

Brandon couldn't stand to listen any longer and stepped forward, brushing aside the branches in his path.

"The one who needs to reflect and change is you."

Aaron instinctively looked up at the sound of Brandon's voice. He was taken aback when he saw Brandon approaching, but quickly

plastered a smile on his face. "Brandon, what brings you here?"

He laughed and said to Brandon. "Sophia can be pretty stubborn and a handful at times. | was just talking about her."

"No need for that!" Brandon said coolly, already by Sophia's side, taking her hand. "She's fine as she is, no need to change, and

certainly no need for your 'guidance."

Sophia looked at Brandon in surprise.

Brandon stood in front of her, facing Aaron, his side profile cast in shadow, looking very chilly.

Aaron's smile started to falter, and following Brandon's cue, he laughed. "Sure, sure, as long as you don't mind."

Whether out of guilt or awkwardness, Aaron felt uneasy staying longer. He gestured towards where he cfrom. "My wife and kid

are waiting for me; | won't bother you two any longer. We'll catch up later over a meal."

As he spoke, he turned to Sophia with a parting instruction. "Sophia, | gotta head off. Bring the kids over to see your folks when

you can."

After saying that, he turned and left, only to look back and add. "Oh, by the way, your sister-in-law thought it'd be more convenient

for Betty's schooling, so we've moved into the city. Our parents are coming over to help with the kids, so they've moved too.

Everyone in the Yearwood family thought you were still abroad, didn't want to stress you with a trip back, so we didn't notify you.

I'll send you the address later."

Sophia pursed her lips, silent, her eyes growing damper.

Aaron turned, bid farewell to Brandon with a smile, and left.

Sophia watched him disappear from view, and the tears cflooding down, her heart aching.

No matter how cold she felt towards that home, it was still the place where she grew up.

Being notified in such a manner that they had moved away, their indifference still managed to upset Sophia.

Brandon watched her, saying nothing. He stepped forward, opened his arms, and gently hugged her, silently comforting her with

gentle pats on her back.

Sophia's tears quickly dampened his chest.

Brandon held her tighter, soothing her in a gentle whisper, "It's okay now."

His soft words triggered a fresh wave of tears.

She didn't want to cry, but her tear ducts wouldn't close up.

During their school days, he had comforted her like this when she was upset.

But in the years since their reunion, as far as Sophia could remember, this was the first the had held her like this, comforting

her with such a tender tone, saying, "It's okay now."

Sophia's emotions were complex, tinged with nostalgia, longing, and an inexplicable sadness. She wanted to hold on to Brandon's

shirt tightly but hesitated.

Brandon pulled her in closer, cradling the back of her head against his chest, his palm gently stroking her hair in a protective and

affectionate embrace.

The warmth from his chest made Sophia falter for a moment, her hands hesitant, then she also wrapped her arms tightly around

him.

Sophia didn't cry for long in Brandon's arms.

After the initial outpour of emotion, she tried to control herself.

As she calmed down, she felt a bit embarrassed, especially in front of Brandon.

When she looked up from his embrace, her gaze was tentative, hardly daring to meet his eyes.

Brandon lifted his hand, gently wiping the tears from her eyes with the back of his fingertips.

"Feeling better?" he asked softly.

Sophia gave a slight nod. "Yeah."

"Thank you," she said quietly, her voice still a bit hoarse.

Brandon just gave her a small smile, his eyes still focused on her, carefully and thoroughly wiping the tear tracks from her face.

"Is this how they usually treat you?" Brandon asked softly.

Sophia sidestepped the question, softly telling him. "My brother, well, he's the type who likes to suck up to the big shots. Now that

he's aware of Theresa, he'll probably end up using her uncle's status to cto you, or even your parents. Don't bother with him."

"Okay," Brandon softly agreed.

"About your parents..." Sophia's voice faltered, "maybe give them a heads-up too. If anyone shows up, my brother, my mom, or

even my dad, just give them the boot, don't hold back."

Brandon nodded. "Will do."

"Thanks." Sophia naturally said thanks again, as if, aside from gratitude, she couldn't find better words to express her appreciation

to Brandon.

Brandon kept smiling, tidying her hair before softly asking her, "Ready to head back?"

Sophia nodded lightly.

Together, they headed back to the visitor center.

Theresa was dead on her feet but still stubbornly fighting off sleep, waiting for them.

Seeing the two finally back, Theresa let out a sigh of relief and with a soft "Daddy, Mommy," she slid off the chair and ran towards

them.

But as she got closer, she didn't go for Brandon this time; instead, she opened her arms towards Sophia and called out "Mommy."

Sophia bent down and scooped her up.

Theresa also snuggled into her embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around her.

Susan could clearly see the tear streaks on Sophia's face and was a bit worried. "Everything alright?"

Sophia smiled and shook her head at her. "All good."

Remembering how she had embarrassingly lost control and cried in front of Brandon, she felt a tad sheepish and still hardly dared

to look at Brandon.

Brandon caught her thoughts in a glance, gently stroked her hair, and then turned to Susan and Kent. "We're gonna head back, you

two?"

"We'll also..." Susan was about to say "head back" when Kent cut her off, "We'll wander around smore, you guys go ahead."

After saying that, he waved goodbye to Theresa. "Bye, Theresa."

Theresa, being called out, politely waved back. "Bye Kent, bye Susan."

Sophia also smiled at Susan. "You don't get out much, so enjoy yourself a little longer. Theresa is pooped, we'll take her hto

rest."

Susan had no choice but to nod. "Safe travels, then."

Sophia nodded, said their goodbyes, and then she and Brandon took Theresa home.

Theresa was out like a light, dozing off in the car.

Sophia seemed either tired or lost in thought; after getting in the car, she was very quiet.

Brandon took a glance at her from the rearview mirror.

She was propping her chin with one hand, staring blankly out the window at the scenery whizzing by.

Brandon didn't disturb her silence.

Back at home, Brandon carried Theresa back to bed to rest.

Sophia was also beat, and after washing her face, she lay down beside Theresa and quickly fell asleep.

Brandon didn't sleep, just sat in front of the bed, watching Sophia and Theresa in their slumber.

A big and a small face, he hadn't thought they resembled each other much when he didn't know Theresa was his daughter, but

now laying side by side, the resemblance was uncanny.

From their outlines to their features, from their charm to their sleeping positions, there was an almost identical sense of similarity.

Sophia, probably to avoid squishing Theresa, still habitually crossed her hands over her stomach, lying stiffly on her back.

Theresa started off the sway.

But after Sophia lay down, the sleeping child subconsciously turned over, snuggled up to Sophia, her little leg thrown over

Sophia's, cuddling beside her and sleeping soundly, just like how Sophia used to cuddle with Brandon when they first got married.

Brandon couldn't help but smile, pulling the blanket she had kicked off back over her, his gaze lingering on her peaceful, beautiful

sleeping face before slowly moving to Sophia's equally calm and lovely sleeping visage.

If it weren't for the little one beside her, Brandon would find it hard to believe she was already a mom.

Her face still held the youth and tranquility of her girlhood, calm and simple, with a serene and gentle aura like a breeze in spring.

Looking at her serene sleeping face, Brandon suddenly remembered when he went to look for her earlier, her choked words to

Aaron, "Brandon and | never got together because of love. It was an 'oops' baby that forced us to tie the knot, and we've never had

any real emotional foundation."

His eyes darkened, and then lifting his hand, he let his fingertips gently trace over her cheek.

"Sophia," he whispered her name, speaking softly by her ear, "We were never forced together just because of your pregnancy,

never."

If it hadn't been for her, they wouldn't have even had that one wild night.

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