The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Sophia was feeling pretty bored in Brandon's room.

Susan had texted her, saying Kent was still sticking to her like glue, and she'd be hlate.

Before heading back, Sophia had already messaged Grace, asking her to let Theresa know she'd be back later.

Theresa was sensible and sweet. As long as Sophia gave her a heads-up, she wouldn't kick up a fuss and would have a blast with

Grace.

Sophia was the type who always needed to be doing something. She wasn't much into playing with her phone. If she had some

time, she'd either hang out with Theresa, read a book, or work on her designs. Chilling alone in a strange room like now wasn't

really her cup of tea.

Brandon was next door in his study, tied up in a meeting, so it wouldn't be cool for her to barge in looking for books.

Thinking about her unfinished design, Sophia was debating whether to do in on her phone when her phone rang. It was a number

she didn't recognize.

Sophia, out of habit, hung up. But the call cthrough again.

Puzzled, she answered.

"Sophia, did Renata call you?" As soon as the call connected, Louis's anxious voice cthrough.

"Nope." Sophia frowned. "What's up?"

"I was just out walking with her, and my high blood pressure flared up. | got a bit winded, so we sat down to rest. Next thing | know,

she's slipped away from my grip and vanished."

Louis was frantic. Even though Renata had dementia, she was physically stronger than him and more agile. They used to walk

together all the time, and she always looked out for him, never running off on her own. This was a first.

"Don't panic," Sophia quickly reassured him. "Did grandma say anything before she left?"

Louis said, "Ever since we hung up on your call this afternoon, she's been going on about making you chicken soup, taking you to

the hospital. She was still rambling about it during our walk, so | thought maybe she went to look for you."

Sophia checked her phone again: "She didn't call me."

"She doesn't even know where you live, how's she gonna find you?" Louis said, tapping his cane anxiously on the ground.

A lightbulb went off in Sophia's head, and she remembered the first tshe met the old lady in the children's park. Could it be?

"I've got a hunch. I'm gonna check it out. Don't worry," Sophia hurriedly said, "You and your family should keep looking too, and I'll

call you if I find her."

After hanging up, Sophia cracked the door open, intending to let Brandon know, but the sound of the meeting cthrough the

firmly shut door.

Sophia figured Brandon was talking serious business with the overseas branch, and the meeting seemed pretty critical. Her hand

paused mid-knock.

She decided not to disturb him and slipped out quietly.

Sophia hailed a cab straight to the children's park and shot Brandon a message on WhatsApp: "Got something urgent to attend to,

so I'm heading off. | kkew you were tied up in a meeting, didn't want to interrupt. I'll message you when | get home."

The taxi soon arrived at the children's park. At the spot where she had first encountered the old lady, sure enough, there was

Renata, looking lost and confused.

"Grandma." Sophia called out to her and went up to offer support.

Renata's face transformed from bewildered and anxious to relieved and a bit regretful at the sight of Sophia: "Where did you run

off to? Every one's been looking, but | couldn't find you."

"It's okay, I'm here now. I've cback." Sophia gently soothed her and called Louis to let him know. In no time, the Frost family

hurried over, overflowing with gratitude to Sophia.

When it was tto take the old lady back, she clung to Sophia, worried about the bump on her forehead, insisting on taking her to

the hospital, wanting to nourish her back at home.

Even though Sophia knew she was being mistaken for Yolanda, the old lady's unconditional care still warmed her heart. It took

scomforting before she finally convinced her to go back with the Frost family.

Louis and Yolanda's parents could tell how much the old lady relied on Sophia, and they had a good impression of her too.

"Sophia, if you're free, could you cby and spend stwith Renata?" Louis asked sheepishly, "We can pay you for it.

She's never cared for or depended on anyone like this since she got sick. She really likes you."

"Thanks," Sophia said softly, "It might be a bit difficult though."

Louis looked disappointed but still managed a smile: "No worries."

Sophia responded with a polite smile but couldn't help glancing at the old lady.

The old lady, didn't seem to understand their conversation, looked a bit sad. But seeing Sophia, she gave a loving smile and said,

"It's okay if Sophia doesn't want to chome. Grandma will cfind you when | have the time."

Sophia felt a twinge in her nose. She nodded gently: "Okay."

With Sophia's promise, the old lady's spirits lifted, and she was finally willing to go hwith Louis and the rest. As Sophia

watched them drive away, she called a cab back herself.

Maybe it was the guilt she felt towards the old lady, but she suddenly felt a burning need to finish that piece of work. Sophia

wanted to personally give it to the old lady.

Whether the Frost family wanted it or not was no longer her concern. She just wanted to make the old lady happy. Driven by this

urgency, once she checked on Theresa, who was already asleep, Sophia dove back into her office.

Brandon's call cjust minutes after she got home, "Why'd you take off without a word?"

Brandon asked, his voice deep, sounding like he'd just wrapped up the meeting.

"A friend had a bit of trouble and needed help. It was near home, so | swung by on the way back," Sophia explained softly, "I didn't

want to interrupt you, so | just left you a message."

"Yeah, | saw it," Brandon said. "You hnow?"

"Mhm." Sophia nodded lightly, "I'm hnow, don't worry about me."

"Feeling anything else uncomfortable?" Brandon asked.

"Nope." Sophia replied softly, "I'm all good now, don’t worry."

Brandon nodded and glanced outside the car window, noticing it was still early.

"I'll cover." He said as he was already heading to the door.

Hearing the jingle of his keys, Sophia quickly stopped him: "No need, | need to do somework, and | won't have tto see you if

you cover."

While saying this, she snapped a photo of her computer desktop and sent it to him: "I'm seriously swamped with work, that's why |

rushed back."

Brandon frowned immediately: "It's the weekend, why dose Don Dempsey give you so much work?"

"It's not Mr. Dempsey’s doing." Sophia clarified quickly, "It's my own stuff."

Suddenly, Brandon remembered the initial design draft on her computer, the one she stayed up all night to finish. It must be a

piece that's really important to her.

"You better make sure to get srest, | won't cover and bug you then." Brandon advised, "You still got a wound on your

head, don't stay up too late."

"I'll talk to Don and get you a half-day sick leave for tomorrow, so there's no rush to hit the office." Brandon added.

"Okay." Sophia responded lightly and hung up.

Having completed the main design, the follow-up refinements were much easier. But even with the hustle, Sophia was busy until

almost 2 in the morning, not stopping until she had the preliminary prints of the renderings in her hand. Only then did she breathe

a sigh of relief.

When she went back to her room, Theresa was already asleep.

Sophia quickly washed up and went to bed.

Even though Brandon had gotten her a sick leave, Sophia still got up on tthe next morning.

Theresa got up with Sophia, had breakfast together, and even adorably insisted on seeing Sophia out, handing her high heels.

Theresa's cute antics almost made Sophia burst into laughter.

"Make sure to listen to your godmom and Grace at home, okay?" Sophia gently instructed as she hugged her.

The little girl nodded seriously: "I will."

She didn't forget about the injury on Sophia's forehead, pointing at it and speaking in her baby voice: "Mommy, don't bump it."

"I'll be very careful." Sophia smiled, gave her a kiss, and then left for work.

Theresa and Grace were at home.

Around 9 in the morning, as usual, Grace took Theresa out to play.

Theresa, sticking to her routine, grabbed her bag where she put her milk bottle and diapers to leave with her.

Before heading out, Grace habitually went up to the 15th floor to tidy up Sophia's office.

Theresa followed along.

As Grace cleaned up the living room like always, Theresa, bored and curious, looked around with her big, expressive eyes. When

she saw the draft of Sophia's design on the table, she tiptoed to take a closer look, "Ooh, mommy's drawing."

She immediately recognized it as Sophia's design and was quite delighted.

"I'll take it, for HandsUnkie." Theresa mumbled to herself seriously as she carefully stuffed the design draft into her bag.

She remembered how last tin Brandon's office, another uncle had taken her mommy's drawing and HandsUnkie didn't get

to see it. She wanted to make it up to HandsUnkie.

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