The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 206

"Maybe it's just," Kent pondered, "being tough on oneself, you know?"

Brandon seemed to zone out for a second before turning to look at him.

Thinking he might have said something off, Kent added awkwardly, "Just spitballing here."

"You're right."

Brandon said, pushing himself up from the wall with his elbow, "She's always been her own toughest critic."

So tough that it seemed like his refusal to let go was just another level of cruelty to her.

A pang hit Brandon in the chest with this realization.

He averted his gaze.

He didn't stick around in the gym any longer, heading back to his hotel room to wash off the sweat and with it, the heavy feeling that had been pressing on his chest all afternoon.

After freshening up, Brandon redirected his focus back to work.

And he was knee-deep in it until late at night.

By the time he packed up his laptop, the city outside had completely succumbed to sleep.

He was staying at the Starlight Hotel, part of the Starlight Group, in a presidential suite similar to the one he'd stayed in back in Wye City, with nearly identical decor.

The familiar setting easily brought back bittersweet memories.

Back then, he and Sophia were already distant, despite appearances. It was only his ultimatum that forced her back by his side.

Two years had passed and nothing had changed. The one who couldn't let go and move on was him, and him alone.

Grabbing his phone from the table, Brandon flicked open WhatsApp.

Don had just posted a new update on Facebook - a brainstorming session with the design department, complete with photos of the meeting room and the designers in it.

In that sneaky snapshot from the brainstorm, Brandon easily spotted Sophia sitting to the right of Don.

Next to her was Ivan, deep in conversation with her, her face and eyes radiating her usual gentle warmth, her lips perpetually curved in a soft smile.

gaze had always been tender, lacking any edge. Those beautiful eyes used to be for him,

her was looking at Sophia

eyes still held a youthful zest and

vague recollection of Augus from their brief encounters. He seemed to be the kind

man through

singles market, Sophia was never short of men

matter of whether she would choose to

years, Brandon had never allowed himself to picture her

the books, never giving any guy

spending time together. Brandon was well aware that the Sophia back in the workforce wasn't going to be like

to picture a future where Sophia was with someone else and that

flick, he snuffed out the phone, tossed it aside, and went

a good sleep, Brandon was in much better shape,

allowed him to temporarily forget

about the terms for

eagerness either, just playing it

had taken a

him on WhatsApp, but that

up

Kent wasn't sure what Brandon was thinking and didn't dare

After consulting with Brandon and getting a "don't bother" response, Kent straightforwardly turned down all subsequent invitations for

But Tia wasn't discouraged.

breakthrough with Brandon, she went to her dad Gavin, trying

"Got a

"Yeah, don't you think he'd make a great

poking her nose, "Oh, my little girl, you're so

chasing the one you

catch like him

do you want me

Tia said. "You playing

worry, he won't run away. We're not exactly a hot cake here; if he's eyeing our mall,

up your mind soon, or he'll go buy out the Starry Group next door and we'll be out of the game. Then the company will really

about the company or Mr. Crawley getting away?"

sweet-talk Gavin, appealing to his emotions

Brandon had been quiet these past days, Gavin was also getting anxious, fearing he might

company

accompanied Brandon