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 him, but at some point, he'd become just another face

was looking at Sophia with a face full of surprise and

look in his eyes still held a youthful zest and

brief encounters. He seemed to be the kind of guy Sophia would picture

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

never short of men noticing her beauty;

of whether

years, Brandon had never allowed himself to

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

she was working, office interactions were inevitable, as was spending time together. Brandon was well aware that the Sophia back in the

a future where Sophia was with someone else and that suffocating feeling hit him

snuffed out the phone, tossed it aside,

in much better shape, pouring all his time and

allowed him to

on the fence about the terms for acquiring the

any eagerness either, just playing it cool and waiting for an

taken a liking to

WhatsApp, but

to set up

Kent wasn't sure what Brandon was

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

But Tia wasn't discouraged.

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

"Got a crush on

didn't hesitate to admit. "Yeah, don't you think he'd make a great son-in-law,

her nose, "Oh,

the one you like?" Tia stood her

him before someone

want

sweet," Tia said. "You

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

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

worried about the company or Mr. Crawley getting

then tried to sweet-talk Gavin, appealing to his

darling 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

opt for the company

Brandon to