Chapter 16
The person turning around just happened to be Ivan, already changed into different clothing.
bean definitely caught the shift in Sophiaâs eyes from spaced out to downhearted.
He looked at her. âGot the wrong person?â
Sophia chuckled awkwardly Just now, I thought I saw someone I knew. Guess all good-looking people kinda look the same, huh?
ivan and Brandon sported similar hairstyles, and they were about the same height. For a moment there, Sophia really thought she saw Brandon She wasnât sure if it was because the two guys had a similar vibe that threw her off, or if she was just zoning out big time. For a split second, she truly believed she had seen Brandon.
Ivan also gave a chuckle, not continuing the topic His gaze lingered on the medical report she was holding, then shifted back to her face Arenât you heading back?â
He didnât pry further
Sophia didnât delve into it either âWas just about to head back.â
Letâs go together, Ivan said, already turning around.
Sophia glanced at his retreating figure, her hand instinctively caressing her still-flat belly. The feeling was complicated. She thought she had cut ties completely, but now, because of the baby, she was facing a deeper entanglement. It was one of the reasons why she was so indecisive.
On one hand, she did want to go their separate ways, no strings attached With time, sheâd naturally move on.
But having a tie meant potential messy entanglements in the future
Sophia didnât want to leave such a ticking time bomb behind.
Yet not leaving it meant giving up on the child.
The thought of letting go made her heart twinge with a pang of pain.
That night. Susan called her sensing that something was troubling Sophia.
âWhatâs up?â Susan sounded worried âYou were fine when you left. How come youâre all heavy-hearted now? Having a
rough time at school?â
Sophia shook her head, fresh out of the shower and ready for bed, while Susan had already called her first thing
The time difference meant it was close to midnight for Sophia, while it was just about 7 a.m. for Susan.
âI just got here: what could possibly go wrong? Sophia sat on her bed, a giant pillow on her lap, phone in one hand, her chin practically buried in the pillow She looked kind of wilted and out of sorts.
âWhy did you get up so early? Sophia asked. âDonât you start work at ten?â
Susanâs company had staggered work hours and she lived close by, so she usually didnât get up for work until after nine. *Just worried you might be asleep, so I got up early to call you. Thatâs what happens when you move so far away.â Susan, her mouth full of toothpaste foam, muttered causing Sophia to laugh. âNice try using me as an excuse. If it werenât for work, no way youâd get up early.â
âWorkâs just on the side. Calling you is the main event, Susan insisted, not easily fooled, âBut seriously, what happened? You donât look so hot.â
pregnant Sophia didnât plan on keeping it from her, âTrying to figure out what to do.â
Susan neay choked on her mouthwash. After hastily finishing her routine, she exclaimed to Sophia, breathless âWhat to do? Have the baby, of course. If Brandon wants to step up, let him if not, I help you raise itâ
Sophia led then her while faded as she looked at her. Heâd definitely step up, but I donât want his responsibility
Thatâs fee too, fn here to help: Susan decided within seconds, âOur company has projects abroad, I can request a transfer to be close and help you and my goddaughterâ
Sophia gave her a look. âFor real?
Absolutely, Susan said, then hesitated a bit. âAs long as I land the Starlight Group project today a transfer will be a plece of cake.
Sophiaâs smile faltered just a tad
Susan didnât miss the subtle change in her expression and cautiously asked âYou donât mind, do you?â
The Starlight Group belonged to Brandon
Sophia laughed âWhy would I mind? Brandon and I broke up amicably, not like weâre at each otherâs throats or anything. If you can bag his companyâs project, itâs not just a simple transfer. With that success under your belt, you can go anywhere you want later with plenty of top companies vying for you,â Sophia added, âWishing you luck to win bigâ
âThanksâ Susan happily accepted, âBut Brandonâs not someone easy to handle.â
âDonât worry, you wonât even see himâ
Susan was speechless
Sophia said. âThis is a business deal and from what I know, Hannahâs in charge of that department right now.â
âHuh?â Susan was surprised âHannahâs at the Starlight Group too? Theyâre not alreadyâ¦you know, right? That explains why you suddenly wanted a divorceâ
âStop right there. Sophia quickly interrupted, âI only found out she was at the company the day I decided to divorce. My divorce is my own issue, nothing to do with anyone else.â
Susan, however wasnât convinced âIf there was nothing between them, why would Brandon agree to the divorce so
readily?â
Sophia fell silent