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 the past

gave a polite

sound, didn’t follow her, but he

see his car still parked there through the glass of a shop window, her brow furrowing

Chapter

a new

new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

locked

Brandon hadn’t 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.

showed no emotion, just watched her, his presence

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

Sophia didn’t say anything.

her all the way to

couldn’t bear it and turned hesitantly. “Do

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food

but remind him, “You

old friend swing by for a

speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the

bulb in her hand, his brows knitting

the bathroom bulb burned

out. “Give it

okay, I

Brandon

worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go turn off the power,” and shut off the circuit breaker,

phone’s flashlight to help him

deep, steady voice came from above as he skillfully removed

for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of

She watched, transfixed.

quickly finished the job and stepped down from the chair. Sophia was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at her

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

Sophia

go check if the light’s

was suddenly

and before she knew

looked up in 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 sealed her

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to push him

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

Sophia couldn’t resist

to fill the cramped

Sophia against the wall, kissing her

she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper, the kiss

stopped, keeping her from seeing his

could clearly sense his breathing

her go, turned to pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and

phone and answering it, her hand covering the device as

before heading to the electrical switch by

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