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

gave a

follow her, but he didn’t

glass of a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion

Chapter

was there to buy a new bulb for the broken bathroom

the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

unavoidably locked eyes

their mamage, so she couldn’t be overly

showed no emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy,

the door and followed her up the

Sophia didn’t say anything.

behind her all the way to her

bear it and turned hesitantly. “Do

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food

help but remind him, “You know,

friend swing by for a

hesitatingly unlocking the

noticed the bulb in her hand, his brows

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned

reached out.

okay, I can

was cut short as 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 hazards, said, “I’ll go turn off the power,” and shut off the

her phone’s flashlight to help him see.

came from above as he skillfully removed

never 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 from his hands to his face, his sharp profile

She watched, transfixed.

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

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

made Sophia feel even

if the

to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light filled the

heart skipped a beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had pulled her in front

and his hand 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

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to

her waist and the back of her skull suddenly lightened,

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill the

against the wall, kissing

rarely seen Brandon so rough and domineering, his demeanor tinged 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

stopped, keeping her from seeing his face, and

clearly sense

pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and

up at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering

glanced at her before heading to the electrical switch by

help but glance at his retreating figure as a