The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 67

Brandon was giving her the silent treatment.

It wasn't the first time Sophia had hit him with that question.

All his bets were on the off chance she was Yolanda.

But if Sophia wasn't Yolanda, then these assumptions were just plain cruel.

It was as if she was nothing more than a stand-in for another girl.

He got why she was putting up a fight.

"Brandon." Sophia's gaze was still fixed on him, "Lately, I feel like you've changed a bit, like you're warming up to being just an ordinary guy. I keep wondering if it's because of the kid. That alone is messing with my head. Now, if you throw Yolanda into the mix, how do you think that makes me feel? Do I have to live in someone else's shadow to get even a glance from you?"

By the end, Sophia's voice was quivering, bordering on tears. She didn't know if it was the pregnancy hormones making her emotions rollercoaster, or if the recent family reunion had hit a nerve. She was struggling to keep it together, her eyes slightly reddened, deeply resisting this line of questioning.

Whether she was Yolanda or not didn't matter to her.

Her memories and her life's path bore no trace of Yolanda, no memories tied to Brandon. To her, Brandon was just an unattainable dream from her girlhood days. All the memories she had of him belonged to her as Sophia. What she remembered, savored, and wished to be acknowledged for was her life as Sophia, not as a possible stand-in for some other girl.

"I'm sorry." Seeing her reddened eyes, Brandon apologized in a hoarse whisper, "I didn't think about how you felt."

He reached out, intending to wipe away her tears.

But Sophia dodged his hand.

"Let's just go to school," she said softly, turning her head back.

Brandon glanced at the now green traffic light, gently pressed the gas pedal, and the car joined the flow of traffic.

It wasn't long before they reached the school.

Brandon dropped Sophia off at the school gates. When the car stopped, she silently pushed open the door to get out, not bothering with goodbyes.

Brandon called out to her. "Sophia."

She turned her head to look at him but didn't speak.

"The kid isn't the reason I'm here. It just gives me a legit excuse to stay with you," he said softly, his eyes on her. "You asked me if Yolanda is important. I said yes, but that's assuming you are her, that you two are one and the same. I can't imagine what I'd do if Yolanda turned out to be someone else. That's why I've always dodged that question."

Sophia pursed her lips. "Sorry, I lost control of my emotions just now."

"It's on me," Brandon said, looking at her, "for not considering your feelings."

Sophia shook her head, not sure how to articulate her emotions.

Marian's resemblance to Yolanda was uncanny, and whether it was Brandon, Don, or Martin, everyone who met her called her Yolanda. Deep down, she probably started to see Marian as Yolanda too.

It was a strange feeling. The real deal was right there in front of her, and staying at Brandon's place was starting to give her a guilty conscience.

She didn't know how to deal with these complex emotions.

"I should get to class," Sophia finally said, using the class as a temporary escape from this issue. Martin's reaction to seeing Marian had been too strong. She couldn't just ignore it.

Brandon nodded lightly. "Okay."

Martin frowned at him. "What's that for?"

"Nothing much." Brandon's response was nonchalant as he didn't look at Martin but simply stared at the short hair between his fingers, lost in thought.

Martin's gaze followed to the strand of hair in Brandon's hand and then back at him. "You don't think that girl just now is Yolanda? The one with the bracelet?"

Brandon looked up. "What do you think? Is she?"

"People change with their surroundings. I only believe in science."

So when Marian showed her reluctance to do a paternity test in the elevator, he played it cool and snagged a few strands of her hair as she turned around to leave.

Brandon nodded in agreement. "I'm all in for science too. But I've got a hunch that I trust just as much." Brandon gave him a look, slowly adding as his long finger pressed on the central lock, and the passenger door swung open automatically.

"Grab a cab for yourself. I've got things to do," Brandon said, giving him the boot.

Martin glanced at him, nodded. "See ya."

He got out of the car slick and quick.

As soon as the door shut, Brandon's car peeled out.

Martin flagged down a taxi, too.

Brandon headed straight to the nearest paternity testing center and handed over both samples to the staff. "I need a paternity test done."