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 past two

too, didn’t say more, just gave a

make another sound, didn’t follow her,

glass of a shop window, her brow

Chapter

new bulb for

bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

locked eyes

split as bitter enemies She 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 met again, she gave a slight

his presence heavy, making even

Brandon opened the door and

Sophia didn’t say anything.

trailed behind her all

Sophia couldn’t bear it and turned

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food

couldn’t help but remind him, “You

an old friend swing by for a

was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the

hand, his brows knitting slightly. “Light’s

“Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned

out. “Give it

I

Brandon had already taken the

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 circuit breaker, plunging the

turned on her phone’s flashlight to

deep, steady voice came from above as he

movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s eyes drifted from

She watched, transfixed.

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

from her retreating legs to her

Sophia feel even

if

but her wrist was suddenly caught, her

knew it, Brandon had pulled her in front

a panic, 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 his. His crisp breath closed in, and Brandon

Chapter

kiss.

to

her waist and the back of her skull suddenly lightened, and Brandon deepened the kiss

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill the

pushed Sophia against the wall, kissing her somewhat

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

keeping her from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek

clearly sense his

let her go, turned to pick up the ringing

the phone and answering it, her

heading to the electrical switch by the

help but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone. “Is this