The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 389

Sophia was out like a light, not stirring an inch, her sleeping face still the picture of tranquility.

Brandon gently caressed her cheek and planted a kiss on her forehead, careful not to wake her.

Then, he slipped into the living room to give Kent a ring, telling him to remind Daniel and Patricia's bodyguards to keep the Yearwood family at arm’s length.

Once Aaron got home, he couldn't wait to spill the beans about bumping into Sophia at the amusement park, including the bombshell that she had a daughter with Brandon.

Laura and Haley were both there to hear the news.

Haley was over the moon.

Laura, on the other hand, was all raised eyebrows.

"No way," she said, still picturing the Sophia who had last been home, looking every bit the fresh-faced young girl, "How could someone who's popped out a kid still be so skinny? And she was back home for days on end, dropping by the hospital every day. If there really was a kid, who was looking after that child?"

"It's true. Don't believe me? Just ask Barbara."

Aaron nodded toward Barbara, who was on her way to put the kids to bed and couldn't care less about the family gossip. She gave a half-hearted nod. "Yeah, there's a little girl."

And with that, she retreated to her room.

Laura was still in a state of shock. "That girl's really sharpened her claws, studying abroad for two years. I knew there was something fishy about that hasty divorce. Looks like she had an ace up her sleeve."

Turning to Aaron, Laura continued. "I might have misjudged her back then. She wasn't out of her mind when she filed for divorce; she had her game plan. I always thought the way she lost the first baby was odd. So young and it just vanished into thin air? After that, her belly stayed quiet for so long. At their age, how could they not have another one? Maybe it was their family doing the dirty, keeping her from getting pregnant. Did she get wind of that, and when she found out she was expecting, she got cold feet about her in-laws and bolted, then secretly had the baby before making her grand re-entrance? That way they'd have to acknowledge the kid, like it or not."

Aaron, pondering Laura's theory, couldn't help but join the speculation. "You might be onto something. Her divorce came out of the blue. Now, the kid's age lines up perfectly. Plus, she and Brandon seem chummier than before. Guess hitting the books does sharpen the mind."

Haley was a man of few words, usually just replying, "Much better," and the conversation would end there.

"Dad," Sophia greeted him softly. Her feelings toward Haley were mixed; on one hand, he was the only one who truly treated her like family, but his weakness in the face of Laura had caused her much pain.

Sometimes she felt it would be easier if Haley outright rejected her like Laura did.

"I heard from your brother that he ran into you at the amusement park. You're back in the country?" Haley's voice held a hint of hesitation.

Sophia nodded slightly. "Yeah, came back for work."

"And," Haley paused, uncertain, "what's the deal with the kid?"