The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Barbara couldn't help but glance over at the pair.

She didn't recognize Brandon, but she definitely recognized Sophia's outfit - she had just seen it at the entrance of the scenic area.

But she wasn't entirely sure.

By the tshe looked over, Brandon and Sophia were already making their way down to the lake to hop on their boat, with

Brandon wrapping his arms around Sophia, back facing Barbara, his tall frcompletely hiding Sophia.

"Why do | feel like that's Sophia?"

She muttered, puzzled, trying to get a better look by craning her neck, but the boat had already drifted away.

Aaron suddenly perked up, "For real?"

Stretching his neck out to get a glimpse, he couldn't see clearly either, what with Brandon's body acting like a solid blockade in

front of Sophia.

Barbara was still baffled, "But hold on, that doesn't add up. Sophia cin with her kid, younger than Betty. How could she just

ditch her child to go bungee jumping? | mean, who's looking after the little one?"

Aaron glanced at her, and that thought struck him too.

Both he and Barbara had cout with their kids. There's no way they'd just drop everything to go have fun themselves.

This thought left him feeling a bit down, and he couldn't help but steal another glance in Brandon's direction.

Just then, Sophia happened to look back and caught a glimpse of Aaron and Barbara. Instinctively, she ducked her head to avoid

Aaron's gaze.

Brandon looked down at her, "What's up?"

Sophia shook her head, "Nothing."

Then she added, "Wonder how Theresa and Susan are enjoying themselves?"

While saying this, she pulled out her phone, using the excuse of calling Susan to blend into the crowd and slip away with the others

disembarking from the boat, preventing Aaron from seeing her and Brandon together.

After a few seconds of ringing, the call was picked up.

"Hello, Sophia."

It was Susan, her voice a mix of excitement and breathlessness.

"Where are you guys now?" asked Sophia. "Still having fun?"

Susan replied, "Just got off the water park rides. | think we're done. Theresa looks beat."

"Mummy," Theresa's voice also cthrough from the other end of the line. "Where are you and daddy?"

"Head back to the visitor center with Susan and Kent, and your daddy and | will cto find you, okay?" Sophia softly suggested.

"Okay," Theresa agreed, her voice filled with excitement yet tired.

Sophia hung up and made her way back to the visitor center with Brandon to meet up with Theresa and the others.

Theresa was already waiting there with Susan and Kent, worn out from the day's activities but still buzzing with excitement.

Spotting Brandon and Sophia approaching together, she slid off her chair and scampered towards them, chirping "Mommy,

Daddy!" before she could even reach them.

Brandon scooped her up in one swift move, then turned to her, "Did you have a blast with them?"

"Yup," Theresa nodded eagerly.

"She didn't want to leave," Susan chimed in with a laugh, "Her eyes are heavy with sleep, but she still wants to play."

Theresa bashfully snuggled into Brandon's neck.

Sophia reached to check Theresa's diaper, finding it bulging at the seams. She then took Theresa from Brandon's arms, "I'm going

to take you to the restroom to change your diaper."

Theresa's diaper days were pretty much over, but considering her young age and the scarcity of restrooms in crowded places,

Sophia still played it safe and had her wear one when they were out and about.

After a quick "okay," Theresa turned to face Sophia.

"I'll take Theresa to the restroom; you guys wait here for a bit," Sophia said, ready to go.

"I'll cwith you," Brandon immediately offered to accompany them.

Sophia glanced towards the ladies’ room not far off, "It's just over there, and you can't go into the ladies' room anyway."

Brandon looked towards the restroom and nodded, "I'll wait here for you guys."

Sophia nodded back and headed for the women's restroom in the visitor center with Theresa.

The restroom was crowded, and the air was less than fresh.

Theresa, struggling with the smell, tugged at Sophia's collar and pointed towards an outside toilet, whispering, "Mommy, there's

one over there. Let's go to that one."

Sophia looked in the direction Theresa was pointing, saw another less crowded restroom, and nodded her approval.

Outside, it was less congested, but as they stepped out from the restroom, they ran into Barbara who was there to wash her hands.

"Sophia?" Barbara called out in surprise.

Aaron, who was waiting with Betty under the shade of a tree, heard Barbara shout "Sophia" and instinctively looked up, spotting

Sophia with Theresa in her arms. His gaze froze for a moment before slowly shifting to Theresa.

Sophia also noticed Aaron under the tree, her expression subtly changing.

She politely greeted Barbara, ready to walk away with Theresa in her arms, but it was too late. Aaron left Betty behind and quickly

stepped forward to block Sophia's path.

"So it is you," Aaron said, eyeing Sophia in disbelief.

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