The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 61

Sophia was totally drawn in by the intense focus and softness in his eyes. Her gaze just naturally landed on him, full of confusion and cluelessness.

She had no clue what was up with Brandon.

This was a side of Brandon she’d never seen before, and that look in his eyes, so full of pity and pain, was something she’d hardly ever noticed.

Passersby kept sneaking peeks at them, whispering among themselves with a curiosity they couldn’t quite hide.

Both of them were quite the eye-catchers on their own Brandon with his tall, straight figure and a cool, aloof vibe that screamed nobility, and Sophia with her delicate, well-proportioned frame and a gentle, peaceful demeanor, with a touch of bookish clarity. Standing there, quietly locking eyes through the crowd, they were a sight for sore eyes, like a painting come to life.

Some nosy folks couldn’t help but sneak their phones out, itching to snap a secret photo.

Sophia shot a casual glance their way, making the sneaky photographer sheepishly lower their phone.

She turned her attention back to Brandon.

“Hey.” She hesitated a bit, “What’s going on?”

Brandon’s eyes remained calmly fixed on hers, but he didn’t say a word.

Sophia’s eyes clouded with confusion, and just as she was about to speak again, Brandon’s voice came softly through the crowd, “Sophia, did you ever take photos when you were little?”

His sudden leap in topic left her already muddled brain struggling to keep up.

She hesitated, then shook her head with a puzzled look. “No, I never really had photos taken when I was a kid.”

“Not even one picture from when you were little?”

Sophia thought for a moment, then hesitantly shook her head again. “Nope.”

Still confused, she looked at him. “Why are you asking about this?”

Brandon shook his head. “No reason.”

He walked towards her, standing in front of her, looking down with that same pained and tender gaze.

Sophia couldn’t help but look up at him in bewilderment. Brandon was tall, and right there in front of her, she had to tilt her head back, eyes full of confusion.

at her, and then, as her eyes widened slightly, he suddenly reached out and gently hugged her. Sophia froze.

she asked tentatively, not daring to struggle, sensing

her tighter, one hand gently circling her waist and back, the other cradling the back of her head, pressing her close to his chest in a hug that

a board, her eyes widening in bewilderment,

her sides, not daring to push him

okay?” she asked, concerned, her body rigid, not daring

low, slightly hoarse whisper near her ear, and as the words fell, he hugged her a

sense of careful relief, as well as that pity and tenderness

lift up, but afraid

admitted honestly, her fingers carefully

the moment.

Brandon paused, “felt like hugging

Sophia didn’t

ay anything.

let her go, looking at her with an

lip, “It’s

Brandon she knew was never one to sweet talk or comfort people.

all about facts and logic, cool and rational to the

mouth, forcing

his fingers run through her hair in front of her forehead, slowly and carefully straightening it out, then asked softly, “Got any more classes this afternoon?”

shook her head. “Nope, that’s it.”

we head

him with slightly widened eyes, then nodded gently,

in the passenger seat, sitting up straight as an

today kept her from relaxing like she

felt like

her unease

sat bolt upright, back pressed against the seat, spine ramrod straight, her hands neatly resting on her thighs, nothing like her usual polite distance and calm when facing him. Instead, there

year of high school, calm and peaceful, with a touch

also the pure simplicity of that age, much like little Yolanda.

his pace, or perhaps he had influenced her. Sophia had become much more composed, always as unflappable as him, never too excited or

shoulder and

touch, her spine stiffening a bit, her eyes widening slightly, though