The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 73

Brandon stood in the middle of the paternity test center’s lobby, staring blankly at the bustling staff and clients, feeling a weariness and emptiness like never before.

It was like the beliefs that had propped him up inside just crumbled in an instant, leaving him totally lost.

Then, among all those unfamiliar faces, Brandon spotted Martin on the phone, clutching a folded-up paternity test report.

Martin saw him too, his face just as composed.

Neither of them said hello.

Brandon didn’t greet him either. His gaze lingered on the DNA report in Martin’s hand for a moment before calmly shifting away. After a brief silence, he asked, “Need a lift?”

“No, I’m good,” Martin smiled and declined. “My grandpa and my parents are in town, at the airport. I’m heading there to pick them up.” Brandon nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

“Brandon,” Martin called after him, “why don’t you join us at the airport? You haven’t seen them in a while.”

“No need, I’ve got things to do, Brandon declined.

Martin nodded, not pressing any further.

When Brandon got home, Sophia was sketching design drawings in the living room.

It wasn’t homework or work. She was just doodling in her free time.

She sat in front of her easel on the balcony, wielding her drawing pen with ease, her long curly hair pinned up behind her head, her side-swept bangs curling softly against her cheek. Bathed in the light and shadows, her face was tranquil and gentle, her expression serious and focused.

this. Whether she was frustrated or just bored, once she sat in front of her canvas, her whole demeanor would become serene, blending perfectly with her

to entertaining herself, always finding ways to be happy without relying on anyone else’s emotional support or pep talks. She’d long

independence came from balancing herself amidst a long-standing absence of familial

doted on, so she learned to depend on people, to trust them, and to use her

was silently watching her with a calm yet wooden expression, filled with a hint of regret and nostalgia, as well as a

on it before looking back at Brandon with a small smile, “Back

for a while before

“Have you

just

something too.”

test results in his hand, offering them to her, but Sophia pushed them

“I’ve got to get to

her a look, nodded quietly,

tucked the report away.

way to school, neither

their own silences.

turned to Brandon with a smile, “I’m

before he too got out and followed her to the

people, Brandon saw Louis and Martin, along

were also Brandon’s father, Daniel Crawley, and

bewildered Marian, their eyes red and teary, hesitant

tears in their eyes, especially Louis’s, but his expression wasn’t as animated as