The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 242

"Just give me a sec."

Sophia whispered, flinging the clothes into the dryer. She fumbled with her phone to set it on silent before reluctantly hitting the answer button.

The moment the video connected, Theresa's surprised and smiling face popped up on the screen.

"Mommy."

Theresa cheerfully called out to her.

Sophia flashed a smile back at her and looked up around the room. Brandon was

still busy, not paying attention to them.

Theresa, noticing Sophia wasn't looking at the camera, leaned in curiously, "Mommy, what are you looking at?"

Sophia couldn't hear her with the phone on mute, but she could make a fair guess from Theresa's expressions and lip movements.

"Nothing much." Sophia said with a smile, her voice hushed as she turned

sideways, whispering into the phone, "I'm swamped with work right now, can't chat. I'll call you back tomorrow, okay?"

The sugary coaxing tone at the end made Brandon pause in his movements; the sweet, cajoling voice felt like a tease to his ears.

In all the years he'd known Sophia, from the flirty high school days to the close- knit two years of marriage, she had never spoken to him with such a soft, cooing tone.

He couldn't help but look up at her.

her demeanor tender, her eyes

Ivan flashed in Brandon's mind, only to be quickly dismissed. He had seen Sophia interact with Ivan a few times - always polite and distant, no different from how she treated

handsome, witty, slightly cheeky guy

how he came over to chit-chat with Sophia at the ribbon-

same school and major as Sophia, that meant he was Susan's

back at him. Brandon's eyes shifted to

Sophia tilted her phone slightly, a subtle move that Brandon caught. The

her. Sophia said somewhat awkwardly into the phone, "Gotta hang up now. I'll hit you back

that soft, enticing tone, which to Brandon sounded like she was putting on the

up, Sophia steadied her nerves and walked back

ready," Brandon said, passing her the

"Thanks."

her thanks, adjusting the towel wrapped around her. She still felt a bit awkward

he hadn't noticed, Brandon handed her the take-out box and casually asked,

his question, Sophia hesitated before

Over the years, he knew

wasn't convinced. Her grip on the tableware faltered, but since Brandon didn't press, she didn't

curry towards

wasn't going to probe

up a piece to eat, trying

staff

Sophia just went, "Okay."

atmosphere still felt

eyes during the video call, feeling a mix of emotions - happy for her current well-being, yet also feeling dismal. It was an expression he hadn't seen in their two years of marriage. She was doing well after the divorce.

at her, calling her

looked at him,