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

more, just gave a

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

see his car still parked there through the glass of a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion as

Chapter

to buy a new

with the new bulb,

locked eyes

there, but they had been like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn’t be overly friendly either. When their eyes

no emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s breathing feel

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

Sophia didn’t say anything.

her all the way to her apartment

it and

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food at

but remind

swing by

was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the

the bulb in her hand,

“Yeah, the bathroom bulb

reached out.

I

was cut short as Brandon had already

on it, easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards,

to help him see. “Can you

above as

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

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 back to put some distance

her retreating legs to her

silence made Sophia feel even more

check if the light’s

to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone dropped,

she knew it, Brandon had

hand 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

Chapter

kiss.

to push him

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

Sophia couldn’t resist

breathing began to fill the

Sophia against the wall,

understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of

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

clearly sense his

up the ringing

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

her before heading to the electrical switch by

glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone.