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.

been tender, lacking any edge. Those beautiful eyes used to be for him, but at some point, he'd become just another face

at Sophia with a

look in his eyes still

the kind of guy Sophia would picture as her

if Sophia might be charmed by such a man through daily interactions, or perhaps

Sophia was never short

just a matter of whether she would

the past two years, Brandon had never allowed himself to

been too focused, all about the books, never giving any

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

was with someone else and that suffocating feeling hit him

the phone, tossed it aside, and went

sleep, Brandon was in much better shape, pouring

him to

still on the fence about the terms

playing it cool and waiting for an

a liking to

hadn't managed to add him on WhatsApp, but that didn't

Kent to set up a

sure what Brandon was thinking

Brandon and getting a "don't bother" response, Kent straightforwardly turned

But Tia wasn't discouraged.

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

Tia's intentions. "Got a crush on Mr. Crawley,

hesitate to admit. "Yeah, don't you think he'd

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

you like?" Tia stood her ground,

catch like him before someone

what do you want me to do?" Gavin

course. His offer is pretty sweet," Tia said. "You playing hard

her, "Don't worry, he won't run away. We're not exactly a hot cake here;

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

asked, "Are you worried about the company or Mr. Crawley

then tried to sweet-talk Gavin, appealing to his emotions and

been quiet these past days, Gavin was also getting anxious, fearing he might lose the deal. After weighing his options, he arranged to meet

didn't opt for the company but a high-end restaurant, booking a

Brandon