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

gave

another sound, didn’t follow her,

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

Chapter

there to buy a new bulb for the broken bathroom

bulb, Sophia saw Brandon

locked

She couldn’t pretend he wasn’t 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

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

Sophia didn’t say anything.

silently trailed behind her all the way to her apartment

it and

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food at

remind

swing by

hesitatingly unlocking

in her hand, his brows knitting

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom

reached out. “Give

I

refusal was cut short as Brandon

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

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

deep, steady voice came from above as he

for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and

She watched, transfixed.

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

to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet he

Sophia feel

if the light’s

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

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

his other hand fell to

Chapter

kiss.

to push him

skull suddenly lightened, and Brandon

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill

the wall, kissing

couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of

from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek against his

sense

pick up the ringing phone for the second time,

him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering

to the electrical switch by

a female voice came through the phone. “Is this Sophia