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

didn’t say more, just gave a polite smile and walked

didn’t make another sound, didn’t follow

car still parked there through the glass of a shop window,

Chapter

a new bulb for the broken bathroom

out with the new bulb, Sophia saw

unavoidably locked eyes

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

no emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy, making even

the door

Sophia didn’t say anything.

just silently trailed behind her all the way to

bear it and turned hesitantly. “Do

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food at

but remind him, “You

an old friend swing

hesitatingly

in her hand, his

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned

out. “Give

okay, I can

as Brandon had already taken the

easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said,

her phone’s flashlight to help

came from above as

for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s eyes drifted from his hands to his face, his sharp profile silhouetted against the light, intense and

She watched, transfixed.

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

to her face, lingering on her

made Sophia feel even

go check if the light’s working

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

skipped a beat, and before she knew it,

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

Chapter

kiss.

to push

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

Sophia couldn’t resist

breathing began to fill the

pushed Sophia against the wall, kissing

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

from seeing his face, and

could clearly sense his breathing

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

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

at her before heading to the electrical switch

but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone. “Is this