The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 102

Sophia literally hit the ground running and went straight to the hospital after her flight, stashing her luggage at a little motel just outside the hospital.

She was tossing around the idea of either sticking around at the hospital to keep Haley company or crashing at her place, so she hadn’t booked a hotel in advance. But she didn’t expect that she barely stepped foot in the hospital before she became Laura’s punching bag.

Brandon didn’t keep harping on her about it either. He glanced out the door at the pitch-black night, then turned to her and said, “Let’s grab a bite.”

Sophia hesitated but then nodded, “Okay.”

Maybe she felt guilty or maybe she just wasn’t feeling all that confident after accepting a favor, or perhaps Brandon was just exuding some extra-strong vibes tonight. Whatever it was, her usual spunk just wasn’t cutting it in front of him.

Brandon casually picked out a fast-food joint nearby for them.

When it came time to order, Brandon didn’t do his usual polite dance of asking her what she wanted. Instead, he just grabbed the menu, made a few swift selections, placed the order, and told the server to hustle it up with the food.

Sophia wasn’t fussed about that. She had only had some airplane food and was starving, her stomach practically stuck to her spine. Getting food in her belly ASAP was all she cared about.

The restaurant was on the ball, and the dishes started coming out hot and fast just minutes after Brandon placed the order.

He got Sophia’s cutlery, gave it a good rinse with boiling water, and then set it in front of her.

“Thanks,” Sophia said softly.

Brandon didn’t respond, just quietly unwrapped his own set.

Sophia couldn’t help but sneak peeks at Brandon.

He had this reserved look on his handsome face, eyelids half-drooping, methodically cleaning his utensils, and giving her the silent treatment. She couldn’t tell if he was still steamed about her changing her phone number.

This side of Brandon had Sophia feeling uneasy, and she didn’t dare ask out of the blue, so she just kept her head down and ate quietly.

Brandon ate in silence too.

He wolfed down his meal, not a trace of his usual elegance.

it halfway through her meal when Brandon put

watched her eat until she finally set down her tableware, then he asked, “Came straight from the airport?”

gently, “Yeah.”

long are you

shook her head slightly,

on coming back

and hesitated before nodding, “I

great

I just want to wander around and

gaze on her, “I

like it, I just never had anyone to go with, so I never bothered.”

Brandon asked, “Who?”

“Just my classmates.”

“Guys or girls?”

didn’t say

looked at Brandon, puzzled.

to think there was nothing wrong with the question,

had to face the possibility that Brandon was indeed

hospital, his cool, indifferent gaze, and the way he left like a stranger. Fiddling with her spoon, she softly asked, “Are

looked at her, unmoving,

her head gently, “No,

to do

voice was faint, “I don’t want to be tied to you anymore.”

chuckled lightly, “What, you think I’d cling to you? Are you

Sophia stayed silent.

softly apologized,

light, “Sorry you didn’t hide well enough and bumped into me again?”

her lips shut, not

seem inclined to let it slide, his eyes still fixed on her.

had no experience dealing with

just stood up for her and even carefully accompanied her to see the doctor.

said, glancing at her pale-knuckled hand gripping the spoon, then at her downcast face, “Have you been happy these past

looked up at him, puzzled,