The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 153

Sophia was just chilling at the top of the stairs, one hand on her knee, the other patting her chest, huffing and puffing like she’d run a marathon. Her face was all flushed, her hair a bit of a mess, and you could see a layer of fine sweat beading on her forehead.

She caught Brandon’s eye and felt a bit embarrassed.

“Today’s the grand opening of the new company, and everyone’s buzzing with excitement. Why don’t you come and celebrate with us?” she said awkwardly. “Honestly, people love it when the boss lets loose and hangs with the crew. Makes you feel less like the big man upstairs, you know?”

Brandon glanced at her still-thumping chest, then at her damp, rosy cheeks, before his gaze settled into her eyes. “Did you specifically come looking for me?”

The word “specifically” hung in the air between Sophia and Brandon, loaded with unspoken meaning, given their complicated relationship.

–

She hadn’t thought it through his solitary silhouette had just popped into her head, and on a whim, she’d dashed up to find him. “Not really,” Sophia replied, her cheeks coloring. “It’s just everyone’s heading out to party, and it seemed like a bummer for the big boss to be missing out.”

She glanced at the now-deserted office, then back at him. “You’re here burning the midnight oil all by yourself. If work’s not screaming for attention, why not take a break? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Kent looked over at Sophia, a tad surprised.

Her casual concern for Brandon was kind of sweet and unexpected.

Brandon threw him a glance.

Kent, taking the hint, quickly made his exit. “I’ll leave you two to chat. Mr. Dempsey’s waiting for me to join the celebration. I’ll head over so no one’s kept waiting.”

With that, he bolted.

Brandon’s eyes lingered on the sweat on Sophia’s forehead, and he casually grabbed some tissues from a nearby desk, walking over to her.

Standing in front of her, he reached out with the tissue towards her forehead. “Did you take the stairs?”

“Yeah, the elevator was out of service,” Sophia replied, taking the tissue from him with an awkward smile. “I’ve got it.”

He gave

her a look but didn’t fight her for it, handing over the tissue.

After drying off, Sophia turned to him again. “So, you coming?”

He nodded. “Sure, why not?”

A smile flickered across her face, and a hint of one appeared in his eyes too.

“Let’s go,” he said, and they headed down together.

Don had texted Sophia the details for the get-together.

He’d booked a rooftop farm with its own BBQ and bonfire setup.

By the time Sophia and Brandon arrived, everyone was already in full swing some prepping the food, others manning the grills, chatting and laughing in little clusters.

Brandon’s entrance caused a momentary freeze, everyone suddenly self-conscious.

Sophia, all smiles and warmth, called out/”Keep the fun rolling. Don’t mind us!”

quickly eased the tension,

some skewers for Brandon. “Want to

her and nodded, standing side by side with her at the grill.

hand. Seeing Sophia and Brandon together, Don couldn’t

actually up for this kind

laying the skewers

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08:125

now and then, take a breather.” Brandon ignored him, focusing on grilling

out of breath, set down a plate of oysters and called Sophia over to

gave her a

to it,” quickly dismissing the idea

then back at Brandon. “I’m gonna go

pile of

–

else.

walked away, he paused his grilling, clearly more interested in something or someone Don, aware Brandon wasn’t into these gatherings, nudged him. “Why force yourself if you’re not into it?” Brandon shot him a look. “It’s not about liking or not.

glanced towards Sophia again.

serene presence stood out; not aloof or antisocial, just content to listen and smile without diving into the hubbub.

much interest

work call came

Brandon returned from his call, everyone had dropped their tasks and was now dancing around the bonfire,

for Sophia

grilling skewers, occasionally glancing at the lively crowd with

her and stood by her side, picking up a skewer from the

placing the

surprise at his sudden appearance melted into ease as

you done with your call?” she asked, having spotted Brandon on the phone just

nodded lightly.

finally turned to Sophia, “Why aren’t you

that scene,” Sophia admitted, too embarrassed to say she didn’t want to leave Brandon hanging

to just ditch

to his nature, would be the last person to jump into

then looking over at the laughing and joking group, he turned to her, “Wanna go check

bit surprised but nodded, “Sure, why

the two of them joined in, everyone did a double-take before Don let go of Cindy’s hand to make

joined the

bunch of folks holding hands, hopping on one foot to the catchy music now

first but soon got swept up in the festive vibe, laughing along with

fun, she couldn’t help but sneak a peek at

at the corners of his mouth. He wasn’t laughing uproariously like the others, but his eyes and expression were clearly relaxed and enjoying the

usual serious and aloof demeanor, he seemed to have a bit more youthful

turned to look at her.

a

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08:42

He smiled back.

the revelry was still in full swing, shifting from the campfire dance to a boisterous mix of karaoke and freestyle

party, had already grabbed mics and were belting out tunes that were way off-key, filling the farm air with their howls, but not dampening the

and Brandon sat down by the barbecue