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.

for the past

say more, just gave

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

there through the glass of a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion

Chapter

buy a new bulb for the broken

new bulb,

unavoidably locked eyes

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

emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s breathing feel

the door and

Sophia didn’t say anything.

speak, just silently trailed behind her all

Sophia couldn’t bear it and turned hesitantly. “Do you

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food at

but remind him, “You know,

swing by for a

speechless, hesitatingly unlocking

the bulb in her hand, his

“Yeah, the bathroom

reached out. “Give

I can

as Brandon had already taken the bulb from

light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go

phone’s flashlight to help

from above as

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 against the

She watched, transfixed.

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

to her face, lingering on

silence made Sophia feel even more

check if the light’s working

suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light

before she knew it, Brandon had pulled her

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 him

back of her skull suddenly lightened, and Brandon deepened

Sophia couldn’t resist

to fill the cramped

Sophia against the wall, kissing her somewhat

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

from seeing his face, and pressed

could clearly sense his breathing slowly

pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and handed it to

silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering the device as she

glanced at her before heading to the electrical

glance at his retreating figure as a