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 a polite smile and walked

sound, didn’t follow her, but

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

Chapter

to buy a new

bulb, Sophia saw

unavoidably locked

there, but they had been like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn’t

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

opened the door

Sophia didn’t say anything.

behind her all the way

and

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food at

help but remind him, “You know, we’re

swing by for a

hesitatingly unlocking

her hand,

the bathroom

out. “Give it

I can do

short as Brandon had

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,” and shut off the circuit breaker,

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

above as he skillfully

a bulb before, but it seemed like smart folks have a knack for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s eyes drifted from his hands to his

She watched, transfixed.

down from the chair. Sophia was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She

gaze shifted from her retreating legs to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet

silence made Sophia feel

go check if the light’s

suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a

beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had pulled her

other hand fell to the back of her head, lifting her face towards his. His crisp breath closed in, and

Chapter

kiss.

tried to push him

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

Sophia couldn’t resist

to fill the cramped

Sophia against the wall, kissing her

demeanor tinged with a desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper,

from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek against his

could clearly sense his breathing slowly

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

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

to the electrical switch

a female voice came through the phone. “Is