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.

the norm for the

just gave

sound, didn’t follow her, but he didn’t

car still parked there through the glass of a shop window,

Chapter

buy a new bulb for the broken

new bulb, Sophia

locked

like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn’t be overly friendly either. When their eyes met again, she gave a slight tug

no emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s breathing feel

passed his car Brandon opened the door and followed her up the

Sophia didn’t say anything.

just silently trailed behind her

it and turned hesitantly. “Do you need

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food

but remind him, “You know, we’re

friend swing by for

was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking

hand,

“Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned

out. “Give

okay, I can do

Brandon had already taken the bulb from

bathroom fixture, grabbed a chair from the hallway, and stood on it, easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical

turned on her phone’s flashlight to

from above as he skillfully

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 from his hands to his face, his sharp profile silhouetted

She watched, transfixed.

staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at her lips, stepping back to put some distance

gaze shifted from her retreating legs to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet he said

Sophia feel

check if

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

before she knew it, Brandon had pulled

around her waist, while his other hand fell to the back

Chapter

kiss.

tried to

waist and the back of her skull suddenly lightened, and

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill

against the wall, kissing

with a desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of losing control, when the piercing ringtone of the cellphone shattered

keeping her from seeing his

sense his breathing

to pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and

and answering it, her hand covering the device as

heading to the electrical switch

but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice