The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 124

Brandon could totally guess why Sophia added him.

He had just snagged Sylvia’s number, and Don had just been beating around the bush with Sylvia about the kid stuff. With Sophia’s smarts, a hint from Sylvia would be all she needed to connect the dots.

Back in the car, he had offered to let her add him on WhatsApp and she had turned him down. Now she was coming to him, obviously just wanting to confirm to his face that the kid was a no-show.

It was a raw wound.

For Sophia, and for him too.

Brandon didn’t want to poke that bear again.

He stared at the “Accept” button for an eternity, then finally hit decline and chucked his phone to the side, turning his focus to the computer.

Don rocked up to the bar just as Ivan was stepping out of his car at the entrance.

Don flashed a big old grin and slapped him on the shoulder, “What’s the deal? You’re back in the homeland too?”

“Graduated, man. What’s the point of sticking around there?” Ivan said, walking into the bar with him.

The bar was more of the artsy, quiet type. Soft tunes played in the background, a stark contrast to the thumping chaos of rowdier spots.

“So, fancy joining my company?” Don asked. “I’ve just brought my branch back home, and we’re short-staffed. How about you hop on board?”

Ivan looked at him, “Isn’t Sophia around? She’s worth her weight in gold.”

“Don’t even go there, you’re twisting the knife,” Don sighed at the mention of her.

Ivan frowned, “What’s up? Sophia doesn’t want to come back?”

Don said, “She’s been in the country these past few days, but she’s not keen on the new company.”

Ivan

spill Sophia’s personal beans. He pulled out the Zenithan-style resort project that Sophia had designed, handing it to Ivan, “We’ve got this new gig, planning to make it the debut project for the local branch. The client loves her work and wants her to keep at it. Sophia’s really into it as well but is hesitant

tight with her?” Ivan chuckled, taking the design portfolio and getting

Ivan’s eyes light up, “Right? It’d be a real shame

Ivan nodded, “Definitely.”

Don, “Why’s she

Sophia had been married, he didn’t feel it was his place to gossip. So he said vaguely, “I’m not super clear on the details. Probably something

“Isn’t she planning on developing

wants to wander and

strokes for different

client’s been clear-if she drops it, we start from scratch. That means her design would never

agreeing it would be

it’s not my place to play messenger,” Ivan said, handing the portfolio

pushed it back into his hands, “I’m not asking you to be a messenger, but she’s always had respect for you, right? Sometimes people get tunnel vision,

“To be honest, it’s a love thing. I think it’s

romance.”

at Don, “A love thing?”

all the deets, but that’s the gist. It’s just regular grown-up stuff, breakups happen. It’d be a

a nod,

give it a shot,” Ivan said, grabbing the

Don asked,

see. I’ll think it

on the spot,

tell Brandon the good news-he’d snagged

hadn’t said no outright, which, in Don’s book,

dive into work

before drifting back to the phone he

opened WhatsApp, and stared at the friend request he had declined, silent.

really didn’t join the company popped into