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

to think that Brandon began

have that

drifted to

change of heart began with

always liked kids and naturally wouldn’t want his child to grow up

Chapter 44

her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp video

It was Susan.

the answer

asked, glancing at the time. It was

yawned, “Sleep? No time for that, I’ve been

contract is keeping

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 the lips. She hadn’t forgotten what Sophia had told her about not wanting to

friend’s frustration. It’s

you sealed that project deal

contract for days, going back and forth with amendments. Brandon is a tough cookie, no, it’s

I’ve been to their office a bunch

concern, Oh right, how’s your morning sickness been

fine, don’t worry about me,” Sophia reassured quickly. “It’s you I’m worried about, staying up so late. Take care of

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

Sophia felt uneasy, “Why don’t you send me the contract? I can show it to Brandon for you. He’s here in Wye

“Did Brandon follow you to

on business, and we just ran into each other, Sophia

The world’s so big and yet you bump into each other,” Susan shook her head, amused. Only then did she notice the unfamiliar background behind

hesitated, then nodded, “I’m staying with him for now. He found out about

fast? He didn’t plant a tracker on you or something,

chuckled, “As if he’s got that kind of time to kill. It was just a fluke, really. He’s pretty perceptive, you know, so it’s

the baby

playing it by ear. But getting back together is definitely off the table. We’re just

Brandon’s hand paused mid-air, just

call Sophia to eat, not expecting

his fingers twitched, but he

Chapter 44

their conversation, but he accidentally

not

Brandon didn’t know what she meant by “not a good match”

anger that had finally settled within him was now being stirred up again by

head slightly to calm the storm

worries, take your time to think it over. Whatever decision you make, I’ve got your back unconditionally. Like I said before,

about it. Don’t worry about me, Sophia’s voice followed, “Send me

you

“Will do.”

and after a moment of silence, he knocked on

phone and was looking at the contract Susan had sent over. Hearing the knock, she turned her head towards the door, got

stood at the