The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 165

Sophia quietly met his gaze, staying silent.

She had no clue how much he’d heard or which words had set him off.

“Why don’t you speak up when they treat you like that?”

After what felt like forever, Brandon finally broke the silence, his voice cool as ice.

“Do you really not know, or is it because you never cared?” Sophia softly retorted, locking eyes with him, “That time you and your dad were talking about Yolanda in the study, he said you screwed up by drinking too much and should’ve never gone to that damn reunion. You let that woman take advantage of the situation.”

Sophia’s voice briefly faltered, as she looked at him, “That ‘woman’ he mentioned was me. A woman he wouldn’t even bother to call by name, do you think he’d ever give me the respect I deserve?”

Brandon frowned, about to speak, but Sophia cut him off, “Even if that was the first time he showed that attitude towards me in front of you, did you ever give me a chance to speak up?”

“You’re always busy, at work or otherwise,” Sophia continued, her tone still calm and measured, “Every time I psych myself up and muster the courage to talk to you, you’re either on a call or buried in emails. Then off you go, back to work. You’ve always got endless work and calls to take. Do you have any idea how long it takes for me to gear myself up, the courage I need to find just to talk to you?”

Brandon’s brow furrowed deeper, seemingly puzzled as to why she needed to prep herself to talk to him.

“Brandon.” Sophia looked into his eyes, “It’s not just your employees who are afraid of you, I am too. You’re always composed, calm, meticulous, restrained. You have so many good qualities, they make you unbeatable, but it’s this same you that I can’t feel a hint of normal human warmth from.”

of them, always tense and unsure around you, terrified of saying or doing the wrong thing. I don’t know

never felt like husband and wife, not even close friends.

you because I liked you, but I’ve never felt an ounce of that from you.” “I thought affection would grow over time, so until you learned to care about me, I couldn’t help but tread lightly, carefully considering my words and actions. I’d agonize over whether you’d dislike it if I mentioned your parents, if you’d think I was

finally convinced myself to talk to you about it, you’d be either taking a call or checking emails. You never hung up the phone or shut down your computer to let me finish. Your work always came first, even while waiting

no energy left to fuss over it because, by then, I was ready to leave. I

to unravel, her voice losing its usual calm and her eyes reddening.

Sophia reminded Brandon of the time at Don’s gathering when she

tears slide down her cheeks. He reached out to wipe them away, but Sophia pushed his hand aside.

choked out, pushing him away, “Everyone says you’re good to

feel a bit of warmth from them either. They always act so high and

Can’t you and your family just let me be, stop haunting me? I can take good care of

her

him,

hand firmly cradling the back of her head, pinning her against the car seat,

1/2

09-14

away under the heat of

didn’t kiss back, just letting her tears

slowed

let her go, still holding her tightly, forehead resting against hers, their