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

gave a polite

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

a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion as phe

Chapter

buy a new bulb for the broken bathroom

bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

locked

been like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn’t be overly friendly either. When their eyes met again, she

his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s

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

Sophia didn’t say anything.

trailed behind her all the way to her

bear it and

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food at

but remind him, “You know, we’re

swing

hesitatingly

in her hand,

“Yeah, the

out. “Give

I can

as Brandon had

the bathroom fixture, 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

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

from above as he skillfully removed the old

had never seen 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 from his hands to his face, his sharp profile silhouetted

She watched, transfixed.

stepped down from the chair. Sophia was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She

to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet

silence made Sophia feel even

go check if the

suddenly caught, her phone dropped,

skipped a beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had pulled her in front

hand fell to the back of her head,

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to push

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

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill

the wall,

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

abruptly stopped, keeping her from seeing his

could clearly sense

to pick up the ringing phone

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

at her before heading to the electrical switch

glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through