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.

norm for

more, just gave a polite

follow her,

still parked there through the glass of a

Chapter

there to buy a new

bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

locked

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

emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s breathing

his car Brandon opened the door and

Sophia didn’t say anything.

her all

bear it and turned hesitantly.

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food

remind him,

an old friend swing by

was speechless, hesitatingly

the bulb in her hand, his

“Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned

reached out.

okay, I can do

as Brandon

and stood on it, easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go turn off the power,”

her phone’s flashlight to help him see. “Can

voice came from above as

were smooth and decisive, a sort of

She watched, transfixed.

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

shifted from her retreating legs to her face, lingering on

silence made Sophia feel even more

if the light’s

suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light filled the

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

his other hand fell to the back of her head, lifting her face towards his. His crisp breath closed in,

Chapter

kiss.

to push

her skull

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill

pushed Sophia against the wall, kissing

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 edge of losing control, when the

stopped, keeping her from seeing his face, and

clearly sense

up the ringing phone for the second time, and handed it

said softly, not looking up at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her

heading to the electrical switch by

but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone.