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

didn’t say more, just gave a polite smile

didn’t follow her,

glass of a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion as phe entered

Chapter

was there to buy a new bulb

the new bulb,

locked eyes

they had been like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn’t

just watched her, his presence heavy, making even

his car Brandon opened the door and followed her up the

Sophia didn’t say anything.

didn’t speak, just silently trailed behind her all the way

bear it and turned hesitantly. “Do you need

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food

couldn’t help but remind him,

an old friend swing by for

hesitatingly unlocking

hand,

nodded. “Yeah, the

out. “Give

I can

short as Brandon had already taken

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 circuit breaker, plunging the room

flashlight to help him see. “Can you see

came from above as he

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

She watched, transfixed.

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

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

Sophia feel even

check if

to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her

and before she knew

panic, and his hand smoothly slid from her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell to

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to push

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

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill the cramped

against the

demeanor tinged with a desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to

from seeing his face, and

clearly sense his

her go, turned to pick up the ringing phone for the

at him, just silently taking the phone and

to the electrical switch

couldn’t help but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the