The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 3

And Kent was stumped.

Brandon said, “Aren’t you busy at work?”-

Kent shook his head like a madman. “Busy, super busy.”

He sneaked a peek at the darkness outside the window and couldn’t help but give a little nudge. “Mr. Crawley, it’s way past quitting time, and, uh, I’ve got an appointment to check out a place with a realtor, can I take off now?”

Brandon glanced at the time on his computer-it was already past seven.

He gave a nod “Mhm.”

Thanks. Mr. Crawley. After a hurried thank you, Kent did a quick tidy up and bolted out the door.

When the office door shut, Brandon finally lifted his gaze from the computer, his eyes lingering on the closed door for a moment before drifting to the vast night outside the window.

It was the time when thousands of homes were lit up, and the lights in the distant neighborhood were twinkling like

stars.

Brandon’s mind wandered to the lights at home and Sophia, always curled up on the couch sketching.

Sophia’s face flashed through his mind, and Brandon’s expression softened. He pulled his eyes away from the window and back to the computer screen. His long fingers hit the keyboard, ready to dive back into work, but after typing just one character, he stopped. The designs and spreadsheets that once captivated him now seemed bland.

With a swift move, Brandon pushed the keyboard away, stood up, yanked his suit jacket off the coat rack, grabbed the car keys from his desk, and left.

Once in the car, his emotions gradually settled down.

Brandon let out a sigh, started the engine, and slowly drove off.

Outside the window, the busy streets were a blur of light and color, a hive of activity. Brandon drove aimlessly, not wanting to go home.

As he passed by Sophia’s neighborhood, Kent’s words burst into his mind unannounced. “Looks like Sophia’s gonna sell the house.”

Brandon couldn’t help but glance at the entrance to her complex.

Just then, Sophia emerged, and their eyes met in a fleeting moment as she paused.

Brandon saw her too, his gaze coolly sweeping over her face.

Sophia managed a strained smile.

Brandon coldly looked away.

Sophia felt awkward, gave a self-macking chuckle, and turned to leave.

Suddenly, Brandon called out to her, “Are you going out?”

His voice was as calm and steady as ever

Sophia looked at him surprised and nodded. “Yeah, just need to pick up a few things.”

Brandon nodded and said nothing more.

for the past two

more, just gave a polite

sound, didn’t follow her, but

his car still parked there through the glass of a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion as phe

Chapter

there to buy a new

the new bulb,

unavoidably locked

couldn’t pretend he wasn’t there, but they had been like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn’t be overly friendly either. When their eyes

her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s breathing

door and followed her

Sophia didn’t say anything.

her all the way to her apartment

it and turned hesitantly. “Do

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food at

remind him, “You know,

swing by for

speechless, hesitatingly

the bulb in her hand, his brows

“Yeah, the bathroom bulb

out.

okay, I can

short as Brandon had already taken the bulb from

Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go turn off the power,”

phone’s flashlight to help him see. “Can

Brandon’s deep, steady voice came from above as he skillfully removed the

seen Brandon change a bulb before, but it seemed like smart folks have a knack for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s eyes drifted

She watched, transfixed.

was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at

her retreating legs to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet he

Sophia feel even

if

but her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light

heart skipped a beat, and before she knew it, Brandon

smoothly slid from her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell to the back of her head, lifting her face towards his. His crisp breath closed in,

Chapter

kiss.

to push him

skull suddenly lightened, and Brandon deepened the

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill

against the wall, kissing

to delve deeper,

his face, and pressed her cheek against

sense his breathing slowly

go, turned to pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and handed

taking the phone and answering it, her

glanced at her before heading to

couldn’t help but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the