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.

beautiful eyes used to be for

sitting across from her was looking at Sophia with a face full of

look in his eyes still held

be the kind

a man through

Sophia was never short of men noticing

just a matter of whether she

past two years, Brandon had never allowed himself to picture her with another

focused, all about the books, never giving any guy a chance

inevitable, as was spending time together. Brandon was well aware

future where Sophia was with someone else and that suffocating feeling

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

was in much better shape, pouring

him to temporarily forget all

fence about the terms for acquiring the Starlight

playing it cool and waiting for

a liking to

on WhatsApp, but that

up a

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

bother" response, Kent straightforwardly

But Tia wasn't discouraged.

a breakthrough with Brandon, she went to her dad Gavin, trying to persuade him to agree to Brandon's acquisition

through Tia's intentions. "Got a crush on Mr.

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

chuckled, poking her nose, "Oh,

wrong with chasing the one you like?" Tia stood her ground, "Gotta

like him before

you want me

of course. His offer is pretty sweet," Tia said. "You playing hard to get might

here; if he's eyeing our mall, he must have his reasons and

"I don't care. You better make up your mind soon, or he'll go buy out the Starry Group next

you worried about the company or Mr. Crawley getting away?" Tia

sweet-talk Gavin,

daughter, couldn't resist her coaxing. Considering Brandon had been quiet these past days, Gavin was also getting anxious, fearing he might lose the deal. After weighing his options, he arranged to meet Brandon to

for the company but a high-end restaurant, booking

Brandon to