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

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

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

Chapter

was there to buy a new

with the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

unavoidably locked eyes

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. When their eyes met again, she gave a slight tug of her lips, a sort

his presence

Brandon opened the door and

Sophia didn’t say anything.

her all the way to

it and turned hesitantly. “Do you

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food at

couldn’t help but remind him, “You know,

friend swing

hesitatingly

the bulb in her hand, his brows

nodded. “Yeah, the

out.

okay, I

cut short as Brandon had already taken the bulb from

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

flashlight to help

from above as he

knack for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s eyes drifted from his hands

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

her retreating legs to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet

silence made Sophia feel even

if the

her wrist was suddenly

and before she knew it, Brandon

tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell to the back of her head, lifting her face towards his. His crisp breath

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to push him

skull suddenly

Sophia couldn’t resist

breathing began to fill

against the wall,

chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of

stopped, keeping her from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek against his

clearly sense his breathing slowly

ringing phone for the second time, and handed it to

and answering it, her hand covering the device as she turned away,

to

at his retreating figure as a female voice