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.

sat in front

to be happy without relying on anyone else’s emotional support

herself amidst a long-standing absence of familial

a child, Yolanda was the darling that everyone doted on, so she learned to depend on

turned around and spotted Brandon, who was silently watching her with a calm yet wooden expression, filled with a hint of regret and nostalgia, as well as a faint, indescribable conflict.

pausing briefly on it

for a

“Have you eaten?”

“Yeah, just had something.

had something too.”

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

smiled, “I’ve got to

her a look, nodded quietly, “I’ll drive you.”

the report

way to school, neither of them

had their

car stopped at the school, Sophia finally turned to Brandon with a smile, “I’m off to class.”

of the car before he too got out

of the building, buzzing with people, Brandon saw Louis

also Brandon’s father, Daniel

were fussing over a bewildered Marian, their eyes red and teary, hesitant to

group, watching the tears in their eyes, especially Louis’s, but his