The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 386

Theresa got the fright of her life from his antics and, on instinct, burrowed into Sophia's arms, too scared to even glance at Aaron but also worried sick about her mom getting bullied. Yet, she couldn't help but peek at him.

Sophia gave her a tighter hug and gently patted her shoulder while whispering soothingly in her ear, "Don't be scared."

Aaron watched Sophia's tender protection over Theresa, his gaze locked on Sophia.

"Who's this little girl?" he blurted out, cutting straight to the chase.

"A friend's daughter," Sophia replied, her voice chilly. After answering, she tried to leave with Theresa in tow.

But Aaron wasn't buying it and stepped forward to block her path.

"No way, you don't have the time to babysit someone else's kid. This girl has got the same vibe as you," Aaron observed, glancing at Theresa before probing Sophia, "Your daughter?"

Sophia's lips were sealed tight.

"When did you have a daughter?" Aaron pressed on, his eyes darting back and forth between Theresa and Sophia's faces.

Sophia didn't bite and tried to sidestep him to leave.

But Aaron was bigger and stronger, not to mention Sophia was holding a child. She barely took two steps before Aaron grabbed her arm and stopped her again.

"Who's the kid's dad?"

Aaron's face had turned to stone as he put on his big brother act, schooling Sophia, "Having a kid is no small deal, how could you keep this from your own family?"

Sophia didn't want to start a fight in front of Theresa.

She looked at Aaron calmly, "Aaron, we can talk this out in private. I've got an emergency and need to leave. Can you please step aside?"

Barbara rushed over to pull Aaron back, "Yeah, whatever it is, we can talk later. Don't scare the kid."

"How do we talk in private?" Aaron lost his temper, "You don't answer calls, don't come home. Nobody knows how long you've been back in the West district, and you didn't even give a heads up."

His booming voice drew curious glances from the bystanders.

Sophia, concerned Theresa might get scared, pressed her closer and then faced Aaron, still composed, "Aaron, it's not that I don't come home, it's that you don't let me. Please don't twist the truth. Keep this up, and I'll call the cops."

As she spoke, Sophia took out her phone, ready to make the call.

Aaron had no choice but to let go of her arm.

Sophia walked away with Theresa.

Aaron eyed Theresa's size and, recalling his run-in with Brandon, blurted out, "Is she Brandon's daughter?"

But Sophia didn't break stride, as if she hadn't heard, marching towards the visitor center with an expressionless face.

Aaron's suspicions grew, feeling like he'd stumbled upon some earth-shattering secret, and followed in hot pursuit, angrily trying to get confirmation, "She's Brandon's kid, isn't she? She's got to be the one you had before you left the West district, which means she can only be Brandon's daughter. Does his family even know about this? This is way out of line, you went through the trouble of having their kid, and they just ignore you? I'm gonna have a word with them."

"Aaron!"

Sophia snapped suddenly.

Aaron clammed up, his tirade cut short.

Brandon, who was on the phone by the back door, furrowed his brows and turned around, spotting the stoic Sophia and the persistent Aaron.

The surrounding onlookers had formed a crowd, whispering among themselves, but no one dared to intervene in what looked like a family matter.

Brandon quickly told the person on the line, "Sorry, I've got something to handle. I'll have Kent get back to you later."

Then he hung up and strode over to Sophia.

Sophia had turned to face Aaron and didn't notice Brandon approaching.

Theresa saw him and called out, "Daddy!"

Her voice was sharp with urgency.