The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

The little girl in the video was totally jazzed, showing off the shells she found and the beach behind her to Sophia, not missing her

mom one bit.

Maybe it's because Sophia has been busy with work and studies since she was born, leaving little tto hang out. Unlike other

kids, Theresa's not clingy to Sophia when work picked up.

That kind of understanding just piled on the guilt for Sophia.

So, she called Susan back with a video call.

The phone was picked up after a short ring, and Susan's smiling face popped up on the screen.

"You're up?" she chuckled, peeking over Sophia's shoulder, "Are you alone?"

Sophia nodded, "Yep. Is Theresa sleeping?"

"Yeah, tuckered out from the afternoon fun," Susan said, "Brandon just called Grace, wanting to catch up with Theresa."

Sophia pursed her lips, at a loss for words.

It was a curveball for Sophia when Susan took Theresa on a trip out of town.

Sophia figured Susan bolted because she knew Brandon was around and found out Theresa was on the 18th floor. Probably worried

he'd pop up or Theresa would go looking, so they skipped town for a vacay.

Susan was still job hunting, so she's got all the tin the world for babysitting.

"Mommy?" Theresa's sleepy, bleary call cfrom behind the camera.

"Whoa, up again?" Susan looked surprised, swiveling the camera to her.

They were still out, in the car, parked at the scenic spot without budging.

They drove there, and Theresa was sleeping in the back seat.

The camera showed Theresa, obviously still groggy, rubbing her eyes and looking at the screen. Seeing Sophia, she brightened up

quite a bit.

"Mommy." She called out crisply, scrambling up to the phone.

Susan couldn't help but chuckle, "Sweetheart, your mom misses you."

Sophia cracked a smile at Theresa, "Did you have fun at the beach today?"

Theresa nodded, "Yes, there's so much water, and, so much, so much sand, super pretty."

Theresa couldn't help but gesture wildly as she talked.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Sophia asked.

"Yes, | did!" Theresa beamed, then curiously asked Sophia, "Godmom said you will ctoo, so when is mommy coming?"

From behind the camera, Susan explained, "Thought we'd make the most of it, stick around a couple more days, why don’t you join

us?"

"Sounds good." Sophia nodded, "I'll get my stuff."

Then told Theresa, "Mommy's gonna change clothes, be there in a jiffy, probably by dinner. Why don't you take another nap, and

I'll wake you when | get there, okay?"

"Okay."

Theresa nodded vigorously, thrilled. Then she hesitated, gazing at Sophia with a milky voice, "Mommy, can | ask HandsUnkie

to join us too?"

Both Sophia and Susan went silent.

Seeing Sophia speechless, Theresa blinked her big eyes, puzzled, "Mommy, is it not okay?"

Sophia didn’t know what to say, her heart suddenly heavy.

It was a simple request from her daughter, and she couldn't straightforwardly say "yes."

When she first decided to have Theresa, she did think of going it alone. Plenty of folks single-parent in this world, raising happy,

healthy kids.

During her marriage to Brandon, his passion for work didn't exactly scream "dad of the year."

Sure, he'd spoil the kid, provide a plush life, but not the hands-on time.

He'd just be the stern parent: successful, authoritative, kinda scary. Add in his folks' disdain for her and their old-money mindset,

that’s was why she chose the solo route for Theresa.

She could provide a loving, comfortable life—not luxury, but enough for a regular kid.

For Theresa, being happy and content is the real jackpot.

Later, when dodging Brandon becimpossible without tanking her career, she gave in to fate, and stopped hiding Theresa.

But that was after she was sure that Brandon would stay single and it won't mess with Theresa's growth.

She thought she'd have tto think it over, but Brandon was keen, and Theresa took to him more than expected, scrambling her

plans. She's torn about letting him into Theresa's life.

Brandon's parents, the Crawley family's desire for the Frost family... everything remained unchanged.

Thinking about last night at the doorstep of the Frost family villa, Patricia ominously warned Rachel, saying, "l don’t know what she

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did to Brandon, just waltzed in by getting knocked up. She knows about Yolanda and Brandon, and I'm worried." And then there

was Daniel on the phone saying, "Don't let that woman's act fool you. She tricked Mrs. Frost by pretending to be Yolanda. You know

what the old lady's like, barely recognizes people anymore, believes anything she's told. This woman, to get into our family, would

even use someone out of their wits—what wouldn't she do." Their prejudice against her never changed.

Sophia couldn't bear to think about how they would bad-mouth her in front of Theresa when she wasn't around. That sort of thing

shouldn't be on the plate for someone her age.

"HandsUnkie," Sophia choked up a bit, then whispered soothingly, "He's gotta work, okay? He'll play with you sother

time, alright?"

Just like every other tshe understood, Theresa nodded obediently and said, "Okay," without a hint of unhappiness on her face.

Sophia forced a smile for her and said, "Then you go to sleep, and mommy will cto you later."

"Okay." After crisply agreeing and a "Mommy, bye," Theresa handed the phone to Susan.

Susan looked at her and asked, "So what's the plan now?"

Sophia glanced at her and said, "Like I've had tto think about it."

Everything had happened last night. First, she bumped into Patricia, then Theresa met Brandon and brought him home. That was

followed by Brandon's pointed probing, Patricia and Daniel's scolding calls, and then a video call from Yolanda’s grandma. She had

a burst of inspiration and spent the whole night on designs, busied herself till this morning, then ran into Brandon again on her way

out, cback and crashed, sleeping till now. She hadn't had the tto think about all this.

"Then stop thinking, and take a break," Susan suggested, turning the camera to the seaside view outside the car window. "Beach

and sea, a bit of wind and sand play, and you'll forget all your troubles."

Sophia nodded lightly, "I'll head over in a bit."

She went back to her room, changed clothes, and took a cab straight to Zion City.

By the tshe got there, it was mealtime, and Theresa was fully charged, over the moon to see Sophia. Usually okay with

anyone's embrace, she clung to Sophia like a koala the moment she saw her, holding tight and not letting go.

Since Sophia had returned to the country, the family hadn't had a chance to go out and play.

So this first full family outing had Theresa super pumped. From the sandy beach to the aquarium, then the amusement park,

Sophia gave her a solid weekend of fun.

Theresa had a blast, too. Maybe it's a kid's short memory or the distraction of new, exciting stuff, but she didn’t bring up Brandon

again.

Before heading back on Sunday afternoon, they all went to eat in Zion City's bustling downtown area, at a local chain restaurant

picked by Susan.

Susan drove them there.

When the car stopped in the parking lot, Sophia held Theresa, and got out first with Grace.

"You go park, and we'll go queue up," Sophia told Susan.

Susan waved at Sophia, "Alright, go ahead. I'll find you guys in a bit."

Sophia nodded, holding Theresa as she walked toward the elevator.

As they reached the elevator, the doors opened just in time, and people poured out. Sophia instinctively shifted Theresa to the side

to make room.

A tall, skinny man in a floral shirt walked by, smoking. Sophia paused at the sight of the familiar face, turning her head to look at

him. The man didn't notice her and continued towards the parking lot, heading in the direction where Susan had parked.

Sophia frowned and pulled out her phone to call Susan, but Susan didn't pick up.

Anxiety bubbling inside her, Sophia was about to hand Theresa to Grace when Susan called back.

"Don't get out of the car, | just saw your brother."

Sophia whispered urgently, her eyes darting toward Susan, but it was too late. Susan had already stepped out, coming face to face

with the man in the floral shirt.

Sophia saw Susan's expression change abruptly, and she tried to get back into the car, but the man in the floral shirt was already

closing in fast, yelling furiously, "Susan, you little bitch! Where the hell have you been these two years?" The angry roar came

through the phone as he reached out and violently grabbed her ponytail, yanking her toward the car, shocking Sophia into

covering Theresa's head with her neck to shield her from the sight.

"Theresa, you go up with Grace first, okay? Mommy's going to check on your godmother and will cfind you in a bit," Sophia

whispered in her ear.

Theresa, sensing the urgency and tension in Sophia's voice, looked up confusedly, wanting to turn and see what was happening

outside, but Sophia held her down.

"Be a good girl, mommy will be back soon," Sophia reassured.

Theresa obediently nodded, "Okay," and climbed into Grace's arms.

"Grace, you go up to the first floor," Sophia instructed, "and call security at the entrance, tell them someone's getting beaten up

here."

Grace had also seen the man in the floral shirt hitting Susan and was visibly shaken. She quickly nodded, protecting Theresa so she

wouldn't see the scene.

Sophia turned and ran towards Susan, pulling out her phone to call the police as she went.

Susan, with her hair being yanked without care by her brother Cedric Cooper, was smashed against the car, dazed and unable to

react, her head buzzing with pain and her ears filled with Cedric's continuous curses. She tried to retort but couldn't, pinned

against the car, unable to move.

Still unsatisfied, Cedric cursed her, "Damn it, you've got snerve coming back. Why didn't you just die out there? You got guts

now, huh? Just ran off like that, do you even know how much you screwedover by calling off that wedding? Couldn't give the

agreed-upon bride price, couldn't buy the house, my fiancé thought | was a liar and left me, no one respects our family."

As Cedric was ranting in fury, he grabbed Susan's hair again, about to smash her face against the car once more.

Sophia arrived just in time, and without a second thought, she took out her keys, held one end in her hand, and jabbed the pointed

end of the key into Cedric's hand with all her might.

Cedric got a taste of his own medicine and involuntarily released Susan's hair from his grip. Sophia seized the moment to pull

Susan behind her, shielding her with her own body.

Looking up at Sophia, Cedric cracked a smile, "Who do we have here if it isn't the so-called high-society lady who got kicked out by

the Crawley family? What's the matter, can't swallow the fact that you were kicked to the curb and now trying to fish for another

wealthy hubby?"

Susan was fuming and wanted to lash out at him, "Cedric, don't push it!"

Sophia stepped in front of her, blocking her way.

Cedric couldn't be bothered with Sophia anymore and lunged to grab Susan.

Sophia, protecting Susan, positioned her firmly behind her and calmly confronted Cedric, "I've called the cops, and security will be

here any second now."

Cedric scoffed, "What a joke. Who dares to meddle when I'm disciplining my own little sister?"

Then he coldly ordered Sophia, "Move aside."

Sophia didn't budge, trying to calm him down and stalling for security, "Cedric, whatever it is, we can sit down and talk it out."

But Cedric, who was used to being a thug, wasn't having any of it.

"There's nothing to talk about with her," Cedric declared. "I'm going to teach her a lesson she won't forget today!"

As he finished speaking, Cedric made his move, nearly grabbing Susan.

Sophia, holding on to Susan, dodged to the side and screamed at the top of her lungs, "Help!"

Her cry was loud and piercing, startling Cedric into hesitating. Seizing the opportunity, Sophia dragged Susan and bolted towards

the exit, still shouting for help.

But at this time, the parking garage was deserted. Cedric, snapping out of it, took off after them.

He was tall and had long legs; it didn't take him many strides to nearly catch up with Sophia and Susan.

Sophia pushed Susan ahead, "Get upstairs!"

Then she spun around, grinding to a halt.

Cedric, charging forward, was forced to stop abruptly. He wanted to grab Susan but was now reaching for Sophia's arm to fling her

aside.

Sophia dodged swiftly, but she couldn't outrun Cedric. As she turned to stop him from chasing Susan, her hair unexpectedly fell

into Cedric's grasp.

He yanked her hair viciously, intending to throw her against a pillar.

Seeing this, Susan turned around, tears streaming down her face in a flash, ready to go head-to-head with Cedric, but ran into

someone.

"Ms. Cooper?" A familiar male voice rang in her ear.

Instinctively, Susan looked up to see Kent, and immediately broke down in tears, "Help, for God's sake, help Sophia, hurry."

Dragging him towards Cedric, she continued.

Kent was taken aback, especially upon hearing "Sophia's" name. Without a second thought, he looked up and saw Sophia being

brutally pulled by the hair towards a pillar. Enraged, he broke free from Susan's grip and shouted, "Let go of her!" before striding

forward to forcefully grab Cedric's arm.

Sophia hit the ground hard, and Susan rushed to help her up, "Sophia, Sophia? Are you okay?"

Sophia shook her head slightly, "I'm fine, don't worry."

She tried to stand up with Susan's support but suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed again.

"Don't move." Susan quickly steadied her, worried sick at the sight of her forehead wound, afraid to leave, and anxiously looking

towards Kent.

Kent had engaged in a scuffle with Cedric.

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Being larger and stronger than Cedric, Kent didn't quite have the fighting experience of Cedric who brawled in nightclubs, but his

sheer size and strength soon had Cedric subdued.

Security arrived belatedly with reinforcements.

Kent handed Cedric over to the guards to be taken to the police station, then turned to check on Sophia and Susan.

They both looked terrible. Especially Sophia, who had a nasty bruise and a bleeding cut on her forehead from being slammed

against the pillar.

"I'm taking you to the hospital," Kent said, moving to help Sophia up.

Sophia was already standing with Susan's support.

She was worried about Theresa waiting upstairs, alone in an unfamiliar place.

"I'm okay, | don’t need to go to the hospital," Sophia insisted softly, glancing at Kent, who also had a few scrapes. "You should

accompany Susan to the hospital, get yourselves checked out."

"lI don't need to," Susan quickly intervened, looking at Kent, "You go with Sophia, my hair just got pulled, | didn't hit my head, |

don't need to go to the hospital."

"We're all going," Kent insisted, not willing to take chances with either of them. "Who was that guy anyway?" he couldn't help but

ask, "How did you get mixed up with someone like that?"

Susan hesitated, "That's my brother."

Kent looked at Susan incredulously.

He'd heard about the fallout with her family and knew she'd disappeared for two years to avoid them, but he hadn't expected this

kind of family .

Sophia, knowing Susan didn't like to discuss her family issues with strangers and wanting to spare her embarrassment, gently

changed the subject, "Kent, what brings you here?"

"I'm checking out the preparations for the Zenitha-style resort ground-breaking next week. Just finished up and thought I'd grab a

bite before heading back," Kent explained.

Sophia frowned slightly, glancing instinctively toward the elevator lobby.

Susan, catching on to Sophia's concern, smiled, "Are you here alone? Isn't Mr. Crawley coming?"

"Mr. Crawley's way too busy," Kent chuckled, "I only manage to sneak away on weekends to check on things. Lucky | did, or else."

He trailed off, worry evident as he glanced at them again, "Let's head to the hospital."

"You guys should go," Sophia said, looking at Susan, "Susan, go with Kent first."

Susan was worried, glancing at Sophia's forehead.

Sophia flashed a smile and said, "I'm fine, really, it's just a little scrape, didn’t hit my head or anything."

Then she turned to Kent, "Kent, can you please look after Susan? Take her to the hospital to get checked out.”

"Why can't you tag along?" Kent was puzzled. "No matter what's up, your health comes first."

"I'm fine, | just really don't like hospitals," Sophia murmured. "I'll just swing by a clinic later to get this little wound taken care of.

Susan got knocked on the head, you gotta hustle over to the hospital with her."

"Alright then," Kent replied, noticing Susan's condition wasn't great and not wanting to waste any time.

Susan, knowing she couldn't change Sophia's mind, said, "I'll make it quick and be right back. Wait forhere, and if you feel off

at all, letknow."

Sophia nodded, "Yeah, get going."

She watched as Susan and Kent hopped in the car and drove off before turning to step into the elevator.

Apart from a stinging sensation at the scraped spot, she felt okay. She'd instinctively blocked her head with her hand when she was

knocked down, so it wasn't too bad.

Sophia gave Grace a call to pinpoint their location, freshened up the wound in the restroom, and swept her bangs over it before

heading out to meet Theresa and Grace. But Theresa, with her eagle eyes, spotted the cut on Sophia's forehead the moment she

sat down with her.

Theresa's face instantly filled with worry, "Mom, what happened to you?"

While speaking, she wanted to reach out and touch the wound on Sophia's forehead but hesitated, not daring to touch it.

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