The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 1

Sophia Yearwood made her way to Brandon Crawley’s office, guided by his secretary.

Two years into their marriage, this was her first time stepping foot in his company.

“Mr. Crawley is still in a meeting. Please take a seat for a moment.”

The secretary offered a warm cup of coffee with a thoughtful explanation.

“Thanks.” Sophia took the coffee politely and settled herself on the sofa, scanning the spick-and-span reception room with its minimalist gray and white decor-totally Brandon’s style

The secretary sneakily sized up Sophia too. She looked young, her wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, and bangs naturally framing her face, giving off a fresh and soft vibe. She wasn’t much of a talker.

The secretary was still reeling from the fact that the lady in front of her was Brandon’s wife.

More shocking was the idea that Brandon, who always kept his cool and stayed away from the ladies, was actually hitched.

She couldn’t picture Brandon being all lovey-dovey with a woman.

The noisy chatter from outside snapped her out of her thoughts.

The meeting might be over, the secretary said quickly, “Sit tight, I’ll go check.”

Sophia instinctively glanced towards the door.

A tall person appeared, his head slightly tilted, deep in conversation with someone next to him. The sharp profile cut through the light and shadow, his expression serious and intense.

The person next to him…

Sophia froze when she caught sight of the girl’s beaming smile and stood up without thinking.

Brandon looked up and saw her standing in front of the sofa, hesitating for a moment before frowning.

“What are you doing here?”

The girl discussing plans with him looked up at the sound of his voice and was visibly taken aback to see Sophia.

Sophia flashed a polite smile at her before turning to Brandon and handing him the file she was holding. “Your,” she started to say “Your mom,” but switched to “Mom asked me to bring this over to you.”

Brandon’s mom wasn’t thrilled about her lazing around the house, and since Sophia didn’t fancy hanging around his mom either, she took the chance to drop it off.

Brandon took the file. “Have you eaten?”

Sophia shook her head “Not yet.”

Brandon closed the file and turned to his entourage. “We’ll continue the meeting this afternoon. Everyone go have lunch.”

The girl by his side seemed to want to say something but bit her tongue, nodded obediently, and then led the curious crowd away, all of them sneaking glances at Sophia.

Brandon took Sophia down to the company’s cafeteria for lunch.

While waiting for their food, Brandon was still glued to his laptop, fingers flying over the keyboard, his usual cold focus on display.

Sophia propped her cheek with one hand, quietly watching him.

He was good looking, with sharp features and a stern brow, his noble nose casting a shadow as he looked down, radiating a cool authority.

He always looked this unflappable and aloof, even in their most intimate moments.

She had secretly crushed on him for eight years, from sixteen to twenty-four, but now, she didn’t want him anymore.

her bag resting on her thigh was

rested on the papers as she

done anything wrong. He just didn’t

so maybe not loving her wasn’t really a

you looking at?” His deep voice interrupted

shifted her gaze to

didn’t even look up, still busy and fixated on his computer

thought watching Brandon work was

get

Sophia smiled. “Nothing.”

did Hannah

been classmates since their first year of high school, both the class’s heartthrobs and top students, always the go-to for school events. Rumors had

slouch during her school days-she had aced her way through to university-but when she arrived, Brandon and Hannah were the center of attention, and she was the new kid. By the time she started

start of the year, Brandon’s attention had already returned to his computer, “I don’t really remember. She

and didn’t pry

meals arrived quickly and what followed was a quiet, drawn-out

liked their peace, it wasn’t a big deal,

couple at the

felt a pang

intimacy was something she and

eyes

a well-wound

his schedule down to a science, knowing exactly what to do

man wasn’t cut

Neither was she.

Brandon looked up,

eyes with

email notification drew Brandon’s

your work. We can

“Alright.”

was an hour later when Brandon

he asked as he

Chapter 1

realizing he was asking her,

thinking of checking out the bookstore, not heading

have Kent take you there. Don’t stay

Brandon’s assistant, someone Sophia

She nodded. “Okay.”

blandly, just like their two years of

didn’t head home from the bookstore until

mom, his mother-in-law Patricia Crawley, was still at home, fussing over the cat. When she saw Sophia walk in, she teased the cat with a chuckle. Look at you, totally pampered with food, litter, the whole nine yards. Can’t make a dime, but you are so extravagant! Neither being considerate nor being lucky to get pregnant. You are not a princess

voice was pleasant to the ear, with a hint of

words and gave a casual hello before heading back to her room. And sure enough, a symphony of clattering and

Back then, she only had to fend for herself, with no expectations from anyone, no need to play nice for the sake of it, and certainly no need

was well aware that Patricia had

she could get why. After all, she and Brandon were from different

was just a twist of fate that they ended up

married him, she had no clue about his illustrious status. She thought he was just like her, a regular Joe grinding away for his daily

have agreed to marry Brandon. It was a shotgun wedding with no love to speak

onto some fairy-tale hopes for the future, which made putting up with Patricia’s

with different plans in mind for her

of the house in a huff, frustrated by

and

earlier about working late. His company was still expanding; long hours were

had grown accustomed to

around eleven, Brandon finally got home,