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

say more, just gave a

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

of a

Chapter

was there to buy a new bulb for the broken bathroom

with the new bulb, Sophia saw

locked eyes

strangers in their mamage, so she

emotion, just watched her, his

the door and followed her up

Sophia didn’t say anything.

trailed behind her all the way to her

and turned hesitantly. “Do you need

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food at

remind him, “You know, we’re

friend swing

hesitatingly unlocking the

in her hand, his brows knitting slightly. “Light’s

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom

out. “Give it

okay, I can do

refusal was cut short 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 shut

on her phone’s flashlight to help him see. “Can

came from above as he skillfully removed the

His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of

She watched, transfixed.

Sophia was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly

to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet

Sophia feel even more

go check if the

she turned to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light filled the

skipped a beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had

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

Chapter

kiss.

to push

her skull suddenly

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill the cramped

the wall, kissing her somewhat

to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of losing control, when the piercing ringtone of the cellphone

abruptly stopped, keeping her from seeing his face, and pressed her

sense

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

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

before heading to

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