The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Brandon didn't catch a wink of sleep all night.

Peeling apart Sophia and Yolanda was a painful and drawn-out process.

In truth, ever since the paternity test result with Martin cout over two years ago, he had stopped obsessing over whether

Sophia was Yolanda.

Even if Sophia was Yolanda, without the childhood memories, she was simply Sophia, nothing more. So the test result didn't matter

anymore.

He had cto realization that Yolanda was gone from this world and he had gradually cto terms with that reality.

Over the past couple of years, Sophia was just Sophia to him. He didn't dwell on Yolanda anymore, didn't look for Yolanda's shadow

in her. It was only when Martin wanted Sophia to design works for the Frost family estate in Yolanda's name, and when Marian

demanded a public apology under Yolanda's identity, that he unconsciously saw Sophia and Yolanda as one and the same,

instinctively wanting to protect their reputation.

But after those two incidents, a nagging feeling would surface that Sophia was Yolanda, and that one day she might recall her

childhood memories.

The issues between him and Sophia seemed on the surface to be problems between their parents, but Brandon knew full well that

at the root of it all was Yolanda.

She had convinced herself that she was just a stand-in for Yolanda, a hurdle she couldn't get over. So, all resistance beca

waste of tand effort in her eyes.

Thus, faced with the relentless pressure from his parents and the senseless interference from her family, she stopped trying to

fight or make an effort, choosing instead to distance herself.

In her view, they, perhaps even he, weren't worth her time. She was always ready to bail, and could do so at any moment.

Therefore, it was only if she was Yolanda, the one with all the childhood and youthful memories, that she might drop all grudges

and firmly choose to be with him.

However, the reevaluation of the paternity test report from Martin and Marian completely shattered that possibility.

For more than two years, he had avoided the topic, avoided mentioning Yolanda, subconsciously steering clear of that possibility.

But he hadn't expected.

Brandon spent the night in a haze of confusion and clarity. As painful as the separation was, it had to be done.

It was like reliving the night his mother died, painfully and lucidly realizing she would never return. Yolanda wouldn't, and neither

would Sophia.

Back then, he had Yolanda to help him through those times, but now he was on his own.

Sophia might be physically present, but her heart was never with him. And now, even the slim chance of her coming back was

gone.

The next day, after waking up, neither Sophia nor Brandon mentioned the matter.

They went about their usual routine: cooking, having breakfast, and then heading to work together.

In the afternoon, Sophia took stoff, bought shealth supplements, and went to the hospital.

When she arrived at Daniel's ward, both Patricia and Yvonne were there, and they were both taken aback to see her.

Patricia knew about the text Daniel had sent to Sophia and that Sophia hadn't replied. She had thought Sophia wouldn't bother to

come, so she was stunned for a bit before reacting.

Yvonne was the same, staring at Sophia for a long moment before coming to her senses.

Daniel, on the other hand, was much calmer.

"You're here," he said, his tone the sas always, that patriarchal vibe.

Yvonne snapped back to reality and hurriedly greeted Sophia, "Sophia, you cto see dad. Come, take a seat."

While talking, she pulled a chair over for Sophia to sit down.

"Thanks," Sophia said softly.

Yvonne gave a smile. Her eyes couldn't help but drift towards Daniel on the bed.

Daniel was still wearing his grumpy face.

Yvonne couldn't resist whispering a reminder, "Dad."

But Daniel ignored her, just glancing up at her, "You go get srest. Your mom's here, that's enough."

Yvonne hesitated, she didn't want to leave.

She was worried that her dad might say something hurtful, or get himself worked up again. Having her around could help to diffuse

any tension when things got heated.

But Daniel's authority still held sway despite his illness, and he shot her a stern look.

"lI want to talk to your sister-in-law. You don't need to stay."

Only after saying this did he realize he had unconsciously used the words "your sister-in-law" and felt a bit awkward, clearing his

throat lightly, "Go on back now."

Patricia also signaled Yvonne with her eyes, "Go take care of Anna, mom's here."

"Okay." Yvonne flicked a worried glance at Sophia, and then nodded hesitantly, "Well, I'll head back then. Callif you need

anything."

After saying goodbye to Sophia, "lI won't disturb you any further; we'll catch up later."

Sophia nodded, “Okay.”

Yvonne packed up her things and left. But she couldn't shake the feeling of unease, and after hesitating, she decided to call

Brandon.

Brandon was in a meeting, listening to board members report on the last quarter's work. When he saw his phone light up and

spotted "Yvonne" on the screen, he paused for a moment, picked up the phone, and answered.

"Brandon, dad askedto invite Sophia over a couple of days ago. He wants to talk to her about something. She's at the hospital

now."

Yvonne's voice cthrough the phone, anxious and uneasy.

Brandon stood up abruptly. The rest of the meeting attendees looked at Brandon in surprise.

Yvonne heard the sound of the chair being pushed back and felt worried, but she continued explaining, "lI wanted to stay and see if

| could help smooth things over, but dad sentaway. Do you think you should go to the hospital and check on them?"

"| got it."

Brandon coolly responded, hung up the phone, and then glanced over at everyone, "Let's call it a day for this meeting."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving everyone else exchanging puzzled looks.

In the ward, Sophia looked calmly at Daniel, who didn't look so good.

His complexion might have been off, but he seemed to be holding up alright, all things considered.

"How are you feeling now?" Sophia asked, her voice as gentle and serene as ever.

"Mind your own beeswax," Daniel snapped back, still with a bit of an attitude.

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMwWLHIOfiflO&1

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMyWL11I01F1081

mMMwWLIIOfiflO&1