The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 6

Sophia's flight was scheduled for 6 PM, and her busy-bee buddy Susan managed to squeeze in some time to drop her off at the airport.

"So, what's up with the sudden divorce and heading back to school?" In the bustling check-in hall, Susan helped Sophia heave her suitcase onto the conveyor belt and turned to quiz her.

She'd met Sophia after transferring high schools, shared senior year and even college with her, majoring in the same thing. They were like night and day—one bubbly and outspoken, the other quiet and well-behaved—but that didn't put a dent in their friendship.

Post-college, Susan didn't go for a gig related to her degree. She dived into real estate, schmoozing for a mall, which meant she was on the road most of the time.

She'd just made it back from a trip when she heard the bombshell. Sophia was divorced and gearing up for a master's degree.

Sophia's whirlwind marriage to Brandon had been a shocker for Susan too. The couple seemed like strangers at reunions, barely mingling, and then bam! Less than a month later, they tied the knot. Now, out of the blue, they were splitsville.

She was stumped.

In the middle of check-in, Sophia shot Susan a look. "Just wanted a change of pace."

Susan raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with life now? No job, but you're taken care of. That's the kind of deal most people can only dream of."

Sophia replied, "Better to rely on yourself than others. Plus, I didn't marry Brandon for his cash."

Susan prodded, "So what's the deal then? Brandon doesn't strike me as a jerk."

In Susan's book, marriages hit the skids over major differences or cheating. But neither Sophia nor Brandon fit the bill.

Sophia said, "It's not about him. It's me."

Susan chuckled, "A fly-by-night marriage, and now a flash divorce. You weren't in some kind of contract marriage, were you?"

Sophia scoffed, "Contract marriages are for people who want something. What would I have that he'd want?"

Susan shot back, "Looks, figure, education, smarts—take your pick. Any of those worth chasing?"

Sophia glanced at her, "With his creds, what kind of woman couldn't he find?"

Susan thought for a moment. "True."

The check-in agent handed back her ID and boarding pass. Sophia glanced at her watch. "Still got some time. Grab a bite?"

Susan nodded. "Let's do it."

She slung an arm around Sophia's shoulder to head out.

Sophia was stuffing her docs into her bag when Susan's arm swung down unexpectedly. Her grip loosened, and the ID she was holding dropped. Bending down to pick it up, a shiny, clean shoe stepped right on it.

Sophia could only watch as her ID was pinned underfoot.

The shoe's owner belatedly realized the mishap.

"Sorry," a mellow voice said as he lifted his foot and bent down to retrieve the ID.

Sophia made eye contact with the shoe guy.

"Sophia?" He sounded unsure.

She didn't recognize him at first.

Susan, already looking over, greeted with surprise, "Ivan Evert?"

That jogged Sophia's memory.

Ivan was an upperclassman from the School of Architecture, three years ahead. When she was a freshman, he was a senior and had been their class mentor for a good half-year.

Back then, Ivan was a known face—handsome, talented in design, excellent and disciplined, praised by teachers and peers alike. His only flaw was being a bit cold, keeping everyone at arm's length, not unlike Brandon.

Sophia also kept to herself, quiet by nature and not a fan of socializing or attention-seeking. So even though Ivan had mentored their class, aside from necessary academic interactions, she scarcely dealt with him. Post-graduation, they'd lost touch, and now here they were, crossing paths.

"Hi, Ivan," Sophia mumbled a greeting, a bit sheepish.

Ivan didn't seem to mind her lapse in recognition and politely returned the greeting.

Susan had already launched into conversation. "Long time no see, Ivan. Never thought we'd bump into you here."

Ivan smiled, "It's been a while."

Susan, grinning, "Just the other day I was chatting with a senior about you, and here you are. Talk about fate."

Susan's mouth dropped open in surprise. "What a coincidence! So, Ivan, are you planning to work back here?"

Ivan shook his head. "Not happening."

Seeing Susan still eagerly awaiting more info, he added, "I'm thinking of doing some further studies."

Susan chuckled. "You're not gonna tell me you're heading to Apex Engineering University for that, are you?"

She was just cracking a joke and didn't expect Ivan to pause mid-sip, give her a look, and then shoot a quick glance at Sophia.

"You guys going too?"

"Oh my god." Susan was flabbergasted, "You're seriously heading there?"

"Y'all aren't on the same flight, are you?" Susan asked, already itching to get Sophia to pull out her ticket for a look.

Sure enough, Sophia and Ivan pulled out their tickets, and they were on the same flight.

"Perfect, I'll leave Sophia in your capable hands then, Ivan."

Ivan smiled at Sophia. "Congrats."

Sophia returned the smile. "Thanks."

Susan's phone rang at that moment. She grabbed it, glanced at the caller ID, and said with a chuckle as she got up, "Chat away, I gotta take this call."

And off she went.

Suddenly, it was just Sophia and Ivan left at the table.

Sophia and Ivan weren't close and had nothing much to talk about. With a nagging feeling of nausea in her stomach, she kept quiet, sipping her tea in small gulps and slowly shifting her gaze to the singer on the stage, using it as a distraction from the awkward silence.

Ivan didn't break the silence either. Following her gaze to the stage for a moment, he then let his eyes wander back to Sophia, staring a bit too intently, a hint of nostalgia in his pupils.

Meanwhile, Patricia, who had been quietly observing the two, lifted her phone and snapped a picture with a "click," then sent it off to Brandon with a message. [What's the deal with Sophia? A married woman jetting off abroad with a man. How's that gonna look?]