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

struggle, sensing that something was off

back, the other cradling the back of her head, pressing her close to his chest in a hug that was both pitying and gentle.

a board, her eyes widening in bewilderment, not understanding what had gotten

neatly at her sides, not daring to push him away.

she asked, concerned, her body rigid, not daring

voice was a 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

hands twitched, wanting to lift up, but afraid

honestly, her fingers carefully tugging at his clothes, signaling the inappropriateness of

the moment.

I just suddenly” Brandon paused, “felt like

Sophia didn’t

ay anything.

her go, looking at her with

“It’s like you’re possessed

wasn’t like Brandon. The Brandon she knew was never one to sweet talk or

all about facts and logic, cool and

at the corner of his mouth, forcing a slight smile that faded

bother explaining much, just let his fingers run through her hair in front of her forehead,

shook her head.

we head back?”

him with slightly widened eyes, then

passenger seat, sitting up straight as an

today kept her from relaxing like she usually would.

Brandon felt like he’d

noticed her unease too.

bolt upright, back pressed against the seat, spine ramrod straight, her hands neatly resting on her thighs, nothing like her usual polite distance and

in their senior year of high school, calm and peaceful, with a touch

but also the pure simplicity of that age, much like little

perhaps he had influenced her. Sophia had become much more composed,

hand to reach behind her shoulder and gently ruffle

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