The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

So back then, he and Laura couldn't help but worry about Sophia's marriage to Brandon not lasting long. They hinted and nudged

Sophia countless times, telling her that snagging Brandon was like winning the lottery, the kind of luck she'd accumulate over

many previous lifetimes. They told her to bechumble a bit, not to be as stubborn as she was back at home, to soften up and

play along with Brandon more often.

With Brandon's family background and his catch of the day looks, there were loads of women lined up wanting to tie the knot with

him.

Being a guy himself, Aaron could sort of get why Brandon was kind of cold-hearted when it cto romance.

With a silver spoon background, movie star looks, and running a huge corporation, Brandon could have any woman he wanted at

the snap of his fingers. Why would he bother with the nitty-gritty of a woman's whims, let alone bend over backward to

accommodate them?

But what they didn't see coming was that despite all their warnings and brainwashing, Sophia still gave them the silent treatment

and divorced Brandon without a peep. Their marriage barely made it past the two-year mark.

Although he and Laura had their reservations about the longevity of the marriage, its abrupt end caught them totally off guard and

they found themselves unexpectedly out of a stellar in-law relationship.

Thinking about it, Aaron couldn't help but feel a bit of regret.

When Brandon noticed Aaron tailing him, he finally stopped in his tracks and turned around, "What's up?"

Aaron flashed an awkward smile, "Nothing much." But he couldn't help himself and asked, "What brings you here, Brandon?"

Brandon replied, "Stuff to do."

Without waiting for a response, Brandon politely nodded and then took off with long strides.

By the tAaron thought to catch up, Brandon was already out of sight. He looked around the entrance of the scenic area but

couldn't spot Brandon. Instead, he found Barbara and Betty still waiting for him.

Barbara was the first to spot him and called out, "Looking for something? We've been standing right in front of you for ages. Blind

or what?"

Aaron, not in the mood for her attitude, just frowned and mumbled to himself, "Where did he dash off to in the blink of an eye?"

"Who are you talking about?"

Barbara couldn't help being curious and scanned the crowd, but no familiar face was in sight.

"Brandon." Aaron said, turning to her, "I just bumped into him in the parking lot."

Barbara looked at him with surprise, "You must be mistaken. Why on earth would he be here?"

"No way, we even chatted for a bit." Aaron insisted, glancing back at the crowd, "I'm also stumped as to why he'd be here. Maybe

he's remarried and has kids now?"

Barbara thought it was only natural, "That's to be expected, right? Everyone moves on and starts families after a couple of years,

especially someone like him. It couldn't be more normal."

Aaron suddenly looked more serious, "So he really got hitched again, huh."

A mix of emotions hit him. He hadn't felt the loss of Brandon as a brother-in-law that strongly since he hadn't heard of any women

around Brandon. But the thought of Brandon marrying someone else meant he'd truly be cut off from Aaron's family.

Barbara rolled her eyes in disdain, "What's the big idea now? Your sister's been divorced for years, and you're still hung up on the

guy. No offense, but can't you be a bit more ambitious? Try earning your keep without always sucking up to others. Isn't that a bit

shameful?"

"In this world, it's all about who you know. There's no shin making money through connections." Aaron countered, disagreeing

with Barbara's view, "Look at your parents, typical of wanting to save face but suffering for it. They have relatives doing well, and if

they'd just swallow their pride, give sgifts, and socialize a bit, arranging a decent job for your brother would be a piece of

cake. Instead, look where he's ended up, jobless and going nowhere."

"That's still better than you." Barbara retorted, "At least we stand on our own two feet and don't have to kiss up to anyone for a

living."

Aaron snorted, "That's all the ambition you have."

"And your ambition? Where's the money?" Barbara couldn't resist a jab, "You've been at it for years, and | haven't seen a dime."

Aaron replied confidently, "Just you wait. Once my company lands the Frost family project, I'll make sure you and our daughter are

living the high life."

Barbara snorted dismissively, ignoring him.

She had been married to Aaron for seven or eight years, and the number of times when he was full of hot air was countless. Except

for a small project he landed three years prior thanks to his connection to Brandon, none of his remarks had cto fruition.

Instead, he was always putting money into networking.

He was still dreaming of landing a big project and making millions.

Betty, who was used to their bickering, whispered, "Can you two not fight?"

They both stopped immediately.

Barbara wasn't really mad at Aaron. They'd been together for over a decade, bickering and squabbling all the way to the present,

and were used to this dynamic.

She remembered running into Sophia earlier, "Oh, by the way, | saw Sophia just now. Looks like she's remarried too."

Aaron looked at her incredulously, "For real?"

"How would | know?" Barbara replied, her tone softening, "You don't even keep tabs on your own sister; how would | know? | saw

her holding a little girl, about one or two years old, pretty cute. | asked if it was her daughter, but she didn't say. | reckon it could

be; maybe she found true love soon after going abroad, then quickly got married and had kids."

Aaron frowned, "How cshe got married without telling us?"

Barbara shot back, "You never cared about your own sister; why should she tell you?"

Barbara didn't get involved in their family , so she didn't have much to say on the matter. Aaron glanced at her but didn't

respond, still wearing that thoughtful, serious expression.

Barbara didn't bother with him and went to line up with Betty.

After leaving Aaron behind, Brandon whipped out his phone and called Sophia. Learning that they were already inside the park, he

headed straight in to find them.

Sophia was waiting for him in the rest area, holding Theresa in her arms.

As Brandon approached, his hands were already reaching out for Theresa, scooping her up in a smooth motion.

"Why did you jump the gun and cin first?" Brandon asked, recalling how she had said she'd wait for him at the entrance with

Theresa just after getting out of the car.

"It's packed like sardines out there," Sophia murmured softly.

Brandon nodded, not pressing the issue, and together they carried Theresa inside.

The amusement park was teeming with attractions and people. Among the crowd were parents herding their kids, as well as plenty

of lovebirds, all synced up for a day of fun.

Back in her teenage years, Sophia was all about idol s and romances, dreaming up sweet nothings. She'd fantasized about

dates at the amusement park with her crush, riding the pirate ship, screaming on roller coasters, and cuddling on the Ferris wheel,

doing all those things that giddy couples did.

Sadly, she never got her shot at love in this lifetime.

Watching those hot-and-heavy couples in the park, hand in hand, laughing and playing without a care, Sophia couldn't help but

pause and gaze at them, a tinge of envy for their youth in her eyes.

Brandon caught the longing look in her eyes and lifted his hand, which had been hanging by his side, to gently hold hers.

Sophia snapped back to reality, giving him an embarrassed smile. Brandon smiled back but didn't let go of her hand, casting a

thoughtful glance at the playful couples.

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