The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 56

Sophia was stumped by the question, instinctively lifting her gaze to meet Brandon’s.

Brandon was staring right back at her, his deep, mysterious eyes calm and tranquil, quietly waiting for her answer.

Sophia chuckled softly, her eyelashes fluttering down as she fell silent for a moment before looking back at him. “Is it that important?” Brandon nodded. “To me, it is.”

Sophia knew he was talking about the whole Yolanda situation.

“What if I were her? What then?” Sophia asked. “And if I’m not her, what about that?”

Brandon was caught off guard.

He hadn’t thought about that question.

He didn’t even want to think about it-the possibility of Sophia not being Yolanda.

Sophia let out a light laugh. “You’re hung up on her because of all the sweet memories you guys share. But if you’re the only one holding onto those memories, is she still that important?”

Brandon just looked at her, silent.

Sophia’s smile faded. “There’s nothing in my memory linked to you. Don’t pin your hopes on me. I’m afraid you’ll end up disappointed.”

“I’m sorry,” Brandon apologized.

Sophia smiled again. “It’s alright.”

She glanced at the empty bowl and stood up. “Shall we head back?”.

Brandon nodded, rising to his feet, ready to walk back with her when suddenly, the previously calm crowd erupted into commotion, along with a shrill female shout. “Robbery, there’s a robbery!”

and charging their way. He reflexively reached out for Sophia, pulling her to the side as the man came barreling towards them, his foot hooking back, and with a “snap,”

to see the skinny man sprawled on the ground, struggling to get up but quickly subdued by helpful bystanders, his

her bag, and when her eyes landed on the familiar, slightly

missing, then turned to glare at the

without paying him any more attention, she cheerfully approached Brandon. “Hey

thanking him. “Huh? It’s

a hint of pleasant surprise instead of

pausing habitually on the bracelet, then slowly moving up to her slightly surprised

been protectively around Sophia’s waist, gradually loosened.

was protecting was Sophia and waved at her. “What a coincidence, running into

smile. “Yeah, quite a coincidence.”

asked with concern.

I left the hotel, almost had my bag snatched, that’s all.” Marian said nonchalantly, gesturing towards the “Starlight Hotel” up ahead, “I’m staying over there for now.”

thought back to the encounter with Darcy and Dennis Barlow in the hotel parking lot and looked thoughtfully

“Are you staying at the hotel for a

got here recently and haven’t found a suitable apartment yet. My dad’s around, so I’m mooching off him, free food and lodging, and I can even

the words “my dad’s around,” he looked at Marian again.

attention shifted back to Brandon. “You’re not staying at the Starlight Hotel too, are you?

her a nod. “Staying here

you guys

she continued. “You guys are

wasn’t sure how to respond to that, especially if Marian was Yolanda-it

answer, Brandon simply nodded. “Yeah, together.”

couple?” Marian’s curiosity bounced between

her head gently. “No.”

changing the subject, she commented. “That bracelet of yours is really nice. Where did

It’s so ugly. I wouldn’t wear it if it hadn’t been on me since I was a kid. My parents say it’s a talisman that’s supposed to protect me, that’s the only

before returning to Marian. “You’ve had it