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.

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

was looking at Sophia with a face full of surprise

in his eyes still held a youthful

He seemed to be the kind of

a man through daily interactions,

Sophia was never short of men noticing her beauty;

just a matter of whether she would choose

never allowed himself to picture

focused, all about the books, never giving

office interactions were inevitable, as was spending time together. Brandon was well aware

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

flick, he snuffed out the phone, tossed it

better

busy allowed him to

about the terms for acquiring

just playing it cool and waiting for an

taken a liking

WhatsApp, but that didn't stop

set up a

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

a "don't bother" response, Kent straightforwardly turned down all subsequent invitations

But Tia wasn't discouraged.

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

"Got a crush on Mr. Crawley,

don't you think he'd make

nose, "Oh,

you like?" Tia stood her ground,

catch like him

you want me to do?"

pretty sweet," Tia said. "You playing

run away. We're not exactly a hot cake here; if he's eyeing our mall, he must have his reasons and won't be spooked that

he'll go buy out the Starry Group next door and

the company or

Gavin, appealing to his emotions and

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 sign the

company but a high-end

accompanied Brandon