The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 96

Sophia’s eyes lifted to meet his, a hint of defiance twinkling behind those widened pupils, “If you’re not afraid of a bit of hassle, then I’m all yours.”

“No sweat.”

He took the lead and started walking ahead.

Sophia followed, getting into the car behind him.

“Where to?” Brandon asked nonchalantly as he buckled up.

Sophia rattled off an address, not the one listed on her school records, but it wasn’t far from here either.

It didn’t take long for Brandon to drive them there.

As the car came to a stop, Brandon glanced out of the window.

Sophia’s place was in a neighborhood brimming with the hum of everyday life. Even though night was falling. she could still make out the elders walking their grandkids.

“Living solo?” Brandon inquired, turning to her,

Sophia nodded, “Yeah, flying solo.”

Brandon nodded back, looking at her, “I thought you’d be bunking with Susan.”

Sophia seemed taken aback, “Why bring that up out of the blue?”

“A few days ago, I heard Susan quit her job two years back and nobody knows where she’s at,” Brandon said as he looked at her. “You two were tight, I thought maybe she reached out to you.”

“Why would she come all this

cracked a smile and let the conversation drop,

go, I’ll walk you up.”

Sophia shook her head gently, “It’s not a good look, and it’s

I saw a little girl who had the same vibe as you, at the very place you

while unbuckling her seatbelt, looking at him, “What are you

got you on edge?”

say anything.

reproach, a touch of hurt that reminded Brandon of the time they talked

at her, “You better head back, get

intention of leaving the car.

on your way home,” Sophia said softly, bidding farewell. She stepped out and took a few paces, then stopped and turned back to him, “If you really want to come up, go ahead. But don’t stay long. given the hour, it wouldn’t

a look and nodded, “Alright.”

to her

her keys and unlocked

bit cramped, hope you don’t mind,” Sophia said, pushing the

Chapter 96

followed her

one–bedroom that felt more like a studio than a

converted into a workspace, with a large

a tad embarrassed, began tidying up the scattered drafts on the table while explaining to Brandon, “I work part–time on top of my classes, got

room, to the kitchen – all neat and tidy, the epitome of a single

door was open; Brandon didn’t enter

due to a morning rush, with pajamas

his gaze landed and felt a bit sheepish, “I had to rush to work

scooped up all the clothes from the chair and stuffed them into the wardrobe