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 two

say more, just gave

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

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

Chapter

there to buy a new bulb for the

bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

unavoidably locked eyes

bitter enemies She couldn’t pretend he wasn’t there, but they had been like strangers in their mamage, so she

her, his presence heavy, making

opened the door and followed her

Sophia didn’t say anything.

speak, just silently trailed behind her all the

it and turned hesitantly. “Do

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food at

remind him, “You know,

friend swing

was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the

in her hand,

nodded. “Yeah, the

reached out. “Give it

okay, I can do

refusal was cut short as Brandon

easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go turn off the power,”

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

from above as he skillfully removed the old

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

She watched, transfixed.

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 between

from her retreating legs to her

made Sophia feel

go check if the light’s

leave, but her wrist was suddenly

and before she knew it, Brandon had

panic, and his 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 in, and Brandon sealed

Chapter

kiss.

to push

back of her skull suddenly lightened, and Brandon

Sophia couldn’t resist

breathing began to fill

against the wall, kissing

and domineering, his demeanor tinged with a desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense,

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

sense

up the ringing phone for the second time, and

up at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it,

to the electrical switch by

glance at his retreating figure as a female