The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chap

Chapter 44

“Maybe, Sophia’s voice trailed off as she tilted her head away, “Just had a bit more time to brace myself, I guess.”

Her calm words somehow managed to ignite a fierce glint in Brandon’s eyes.

With a flick of his long fingers, he pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him.

“You have been prepping for this for over half a year, huh?” he asked, his voice eerily calm yet frightening.

He hadn’t forgotten the day she got the acceptance call from Apex Engineering University When he asked how long she’d been preparing, she’d said six months.

Sophia gave a small nod, silently agreeing.

Brandon didn’t reply, just stared at her expressionlessly, his Adam’s apple bobbing violently with his emotions.

He didn’t utter a word, just watched her with that same blank expression.

Sophia had no clue why Brandon was suddenly raking up the past.

It wasn’t like she had kept their divorce a secret from him, nor had she bolted. Right from the start, she’d been upfront. about wanting a divorce, and he’d agreed without probing for reasons or needing an explanation. Just a simple “okay” had ended their marriage, more decisively than she could have managed. Even when they bumped into each other in their neighborhood later, and he found out she’d been considering divorce for six months, he’d been the one to coolly say take care before walking away, clean and swift, without dragging his feet. Even on the day she left at the airport, him upstairs, her downstairs, his gaze was calm and distant, with no signs of lingering attachment or care. Now, barely a month later, she didn’t understand why Brandon was suddenly bringing up old times.

Was it because of the baby?

Her hand instinctively touched her still-flat belly, and Sophia realized that all the changes seemed to start after he learned of her pregnancy

Brandon noticed where her hand rested and glanced at her.

“It’s not about the kid, he said, his gaze pausing on her chin which he had been holding, before releasing her.

“Sorry,” he said, returning to his usual composed self.

“It’s okay, Sophia replied softly, her gaze lowered, not looking at him.

“You should go back to your room and rest. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready,” Brandon said, smoothing her tousled hair.

Sophia just nodded obediently, “Okay.”

Brandon watched her go back to her room, only looking away after the door closed.

The lingering light of the sunset poured through the window.

Sophia stood there, gazing at the still unfamiliar street outside.

Brandon’s breath from just a moment ago still clung to her lips.

His slightly labored breathing and anger also seemed to echo in her ears.

She found Brandon a bit hard to read, actually. He was usually so composed and steady that it was rare to see him show emotion like this. She didn’t quite understand his sudden mood swing.

the Brandon

think that

have that

hand drifted to her belly

had a hunch that Brandon’s change of heart began

and naturally wouldn’t want his child to grow

Chapter 44

moment, her phone buzzed with

It was Susan.

the

up?” Sophia asked, glancing at the time. It was well past midnight

“Sleep? No time for that, I’ve been swamped. Just

“What contract is

with Brandon’s Starlight Hotel joining our business district.” Susan began to vent before catching herself, remembering she wasn’t supposed to bring Brandon up around Sophia. She clamped her mouth shut and gave herself a playful slap on

her friend’s frustration. It’s fine,

she inquired, “Haven’t you

replied, “It’s not that easy. We’ve been haggling over the contract for days, going back and forth with amendments. Brandon is a tough cookie, no,

fast track, you know, to discuss and make changes directly, so it’s easier for everyone. But I have no idea where he’s disappeared to I’ve been to their office a bunch of times and can’t find him. Even that Kent guy won’t spill the beans, just says Brandon’s on a business trip with no

sickness been these past few days? I’ve been so

worry about me,” Sophia reassured quickly. “It’s you I’m worried about,

yawned as she stood up, “Tomorrow I’ll try to get hold of that Kent again, see if I can catch Brandon at work. Their

face, Sophia felt uneasy, “Why don’t you send me the contract? I can show

mid-yawn, shocked, “Did

we just ran into

shook her head, amused. Only then did she notice the unfamiliar background behind Sophia and paused, bewildered, “You’re

then nodded, “I’m staying with him for now. He

did he figure it out so darn fast? He didn’t plant a

that kind of time to kill. It was just a fluke, really. He’s pretty perceptive, you know, so it’s like, trying

the game plan now?” she asked, “Gonna keep the baby and raise it together, or are you thinking of getting

Sophia sighed, “I’m just playing it by ear. But getting back together is definitely off

Brandon’s hand paused mid-air, just about to

call Sophia to eat, not expecting to overhear her

his fingers twitched, but

Chapter 44

on their conversation,

not a

soft voice echoed in his mind. Brandon didn’t know what

within him was now being stirred up again by her

slightly to

speakerphone filtered through the door. “No worries, take your time to think it over. Whatever decision you make, I’ve got your back unconditionally. Like I said

about it. Don’t worry about me, Sophia’s voice followed, “Send me the contract, and I’ll have

you

“Will do.”

a deep breath and after a moment of

had sent over. Hearing the knock, she turned her head towards the door, got up,

at