The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 106

Laura spotted Sophia too, who had cooled off a bit since yesterday but still looked a bit under the weather. That look of discomfort seemed to get shoved aside the moment she caught sight of Brandon by her side.

Sophia didn't bother with hellos. She just strutted into the hospital room and called out “Dad” to Haley, who was busy scrolling on his phone.

Haley froze, looking up in disbelief. Spotting Sophia, he lit up like a Christmas tree. “Sophia? Is that really you? When did you get back?”

Dropping his phone, he struggled to sit up.

Sophia rushed over to keep him down. “Dad, you’re still hurt, stay put for now.”

Haley stopped squirming, lying back down with eyes brimming with tears. “When did you come back? Have you eaten?”

“Yep, had my meal already.” Sophia pulled up a chair to sit by the bed, eyeing Haley, “Got back last night.”

“That’s good, that’s great.” Haley got a bit misty-eyed and a tad sentimental, greedily taking in Sophia’s appearance, “You look like you’ve lost weight being out there.”

“Nah, I’ve actually gained a few pounds since heading overseas,” Sophia said, glancing at the bandaged head, “How are you feeling now? Better?”

Haley nodded. “Yeah, much better. I’m feeling on top of the world.”

He tried to prove his point with a grin, but halfway through his smile twisted into a grimace as he agitated his wound, prompting Sophia to stop him. “Don’t move around too much.”

Before she could finish, Laura was already on the warpath, berating him. “What are you up to now, acting all reckless? Don’t you realize you’re still seriously injured?”

Then she turned her scolding on Sophia. “And you! Knowing full well your dad’s condition, you still got him to laugh. Guess you don’t care to lift a finger to help out, huh?”

She was loud and clear about her annoyance.

At the sound of her voice, Haley didn’t dare peep, just worriedly glanced at Sophia, silently pleading for her not to argue with her mom.

Sophia gave him a look, pursed her lips, and chose to stay silent, not wanting to put Haley in the middle of a spat.

Brandon was just observing from the sidelines, his gaze bouncing from Haley’s pleading eyes to Sophia and then to Laura.

Laura, now busy tucking in Haley, was still going on and on. “The doctor told you to rest up, how many times do I have to remind you? You wake up and get all cocky, forgetting your brush with the Grim Reaper just days ago.”

Haley didn’t even peep under the nagging.

Seeing Haley in good spirits and knowing Laura would just keep on blowing her top, Sophia didn’t want to make things harder for him, so she said to Haley, “Dad, you should rest. I’ll go check out how the accident case is being handled with the traffic police.”

Laura spared a glance back. “The hospital deposit ran out. They’re hounding for the bill to be topped up, so you might as well handle it on your way.”

Sophia nodded, picked up the bill from the table, and left the room.

Brandon followed her out.