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 difort 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 youe back?


    Have you eaten?”


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


    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, ncing 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 tough. 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 nced 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


    ident case is being handled with the traffic police.”


    Laura spared a nce 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.


    “Your mom always like this with you?” Brandon asked as they waited for the elevator.


    Sophia pursed her lips a bit, then nodded gently. “That’s just her way of talking and doing things.”


    “And you’re always just taking it?”


    “Nope.” Sophia turned to him, “But with my dad like this, if I pick a fight with her, who’s gonna end up in


    the ER from all the stress? Him, right? Why bother with that argument now?”


    After saying this, she chuckled. “I only came back to see my dad, anyway. I don’t have a mom.”


    The smile on her face softened Brandon’s indifferent gaze.


    He didn’t say anything, just lifted his hand and gently ruffled her hair, lightly, with a touch of tenderness.


    Sophia stiffened a bit, memories fromst night shing back to her.


    Thankfully, the elevator doors opened at that moment.


    Sophia stepped in, with Brandon following, and they went together to take care of the hospital bill.


    Sophia had to drop by the traffic police, and she knew Brandon was busy. As they left the hospital, she


    turned to him. “Go ahead with your stuff. I’ll check on the ident case, no idea how long it’ll take.”


    Checking his watch, Brandon said, “No worries, I’lle with you.”


    And with that, he went ahead to open the car door.


    Sophia had no choice but to follow.


    Brandon was now sticking to her like glue 24/7. It was something she wasn’t used to.


    In her previous marriage, she actually enjoyed a life where they didn’t step on each other’s toes, where


    they had their own space. But that non-intrusive setup got messy when Brandon’s mom and dad got


    involved, and as a daughter-inw, she had to deal with all the obligations and constraints tied to


    another family, along with the pressure to have kids. And without getting the same emotional


    investment from Brandon, especially after finding out about Ynda, she had to weigh what the


    marriage really brought her.


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    Comparing it all, she realized she was better off single and free, which was why she opted for divorce.


    Over these two years flying solo, she’d gotten quitefortable and didn’t fuss over love anymore. But


    Brandon, suddenly not as work-obsessed and even finding time to apany her, threw her off her


    game.


    “Aren’t you busy these days?” Sophia asked, watching him drive calmly.


    “It’s manageable.”


    “You really don’t need to drop me off. I can handle these things myself,” Sophia said softly, “We don’t


    even know how long it’ll take at the traffic police. You should head back when it’s time.”


    “I’ve got my own schedule sorted, don’t worry about me.”


    Sophia didn’t know what else to say for the moment.


    She tried to change the subject. “So, what happened with you and Ynda afterward?”