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.

for the

more, just gave a

follow her, but he didn’t leave

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

Chapter

a new bulb for the broken bathroom

the new bulb,

locked eyes

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,

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

Brandon opened the door and

Sophia didn’t say anything.

trailed behind her all the way to her

and turned hesitantly. “Do you need

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food at

couldn’t help but remind him, “You

friend swing by for a

speechless, hesitatingly unlocking

bulb in her hand, his brows

the bathroom bulb burned

out. “Give

I

was cut short as Brandon had already taken

the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go turn off the power,” and shut off the circuit breaker, plunging the

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

came from above as he skillfully removed the old

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

She watched, transfixed.

still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at her lips, stepping back to put some distance

legs to her face,

Sophia feel

if the light’s

was suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light filled the

skipped a beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had pulled her in

her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell to the back of

Chapter

kiss.

tried to push him

skull suddenly lightened, and

Sophia couldn’t resist

to

the wall,

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

her from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek against his

sense his breathing slowly

her go, turned to pick up the ringing phone for the

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

her before heading to

couldn’t help but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone. “Is this