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

just gave a polite smile and

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

still parked there through the glass of a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion as phe entered the

Chapter

a new bulb for

with the new bulb,

unavoidably locked

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

watched her, his presence heavy, making

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

Sophia didn’t say anything.

silently trailed behind her all the way to her

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

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food at

remind him,

friend swing by for a

speechless, hesitatingly unlocking

noticed the bulb in her hand, his brows knitting

nodded. “Yeah, the

out.

okay, I can

short as Brandon had

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,”

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

steady voice came from above as

were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s eyes drifted from his hands to

She watched, transfixed.

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

from her retreating legs to her face, lingering on her eyes,

made Sophia

check if the light’s working

that, she turned to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her

knew

and his hand smoothly slid from her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand

Chapter

kiss.

tried to

her skull suddenly lightened,

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to

pushed Sophia against the wall, kissing

she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of losing control, when the piercing ringtone of the cellphone shattered

his face, and pressed her

sense his

her go, turned to pick up the ringing phone for

phone and answering it, her hand covering the device as

glanced at her before heading to the electrical

glance at his retreating figure as a