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.

was the norm for

say more, just gave a polite

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

through the glass of a

Chapter

buy a new bulb for the broken bathroom

out with the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon

locked

but they had been like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn’t be overly friendly either. When their eyes met again,

just watched her, his presence heavy, making

car Brandon opened the door and followed her up the stairs in

Sophia didn’t say anything.

her

it and turned hesitantly. “Do you need

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food

help but remind him, “You know,

friend swing

speechless, hesitatingly unlocking

the bulb in her hand,

nodded. “Yeah, the

reached out. “Give

okay, I can do

refusal was cut short as Brandon had already taken the bulb from

grabbed a chair from the hallway, and stood on it, easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go turn

phone’s flashlight to

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

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,

She watched, transfixed.

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

retreating legs to her

Sophia feel even

if the light’s

leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone

a beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had

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, and Brandon sealed her lips

Chapter

kiss.

tried to

her skull suddenly lightened, and

Sophia couldn’t resist

to fill the

pushed Sophia against the wall,

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 edge of losing control, when the piercing ringtone of the

from seeing his face,

could clearly sense his

up the ringing phone

the phone and answering it, her hand covering

heading to the electrical switch

couldn’t help but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone. “Is this