The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 254

"Yeah, he's really sweet on Theresa," Grace said, "And Theresa's pretty into him too, but his dad, the way he looks at people, sheesh."

Grace couldn't help but shake her head with disdain before she continued.

"Theresa was all excited at first, but it was only after his dad showed up that she started fussing to go home, wouldn't stay there no matter what. At the beginning, she was about to leave with Mr. Crawley, her eyes all teary and stuff, but when Mr. Crawley dropped us back, she wasn't clinging to him like before. She's just a kid, but she's got such a sensitive soul, you know?"

Sophia took a glance at Theresa in the room.

The little girl was asleep, her face peaceful and content, showing none of the hurt that was there when they first saw her.

But the hurt look she had earlier was like a thorn in Sophia's heart, pricking her from the inside.

Clearly, Theresa took after her with that extra sensitivity.

She might be too young to understand why, but just like Sophia, she was pretty sensitive to vibes.

When it was just her and Brandon, she looked up to Brandon as a father figure, thinking he was all hers, but when his family members come around, like Yvonne and Anna before, and Daniel this time, it gave her this sinking feeling that her daddy wasn't really hers, that she was left out of his world.

Her age didn't let her articulate these feelings, but her sadness and sense of loss said it all.

"Thanks, Grace."

As Sophia shifted her gaze away from Theresa, she quietly thanked Grace.

Grace, a bit embarrassed by the thanks, waved her hand dismissively and laughed, "What are you thanking me for? It's the least I could do."

Sophia just smiled and didn't say more.

In the dead of night, the bustling West district was slowly dozing off.

The river snaking through the city was lined with quiet, twinkling lights.

A gusty wind blew, causing the curtains on the balcony to flutter.

Brandon sat at the balcony bar, arms crossed over his chest, leaning back against the marble bar top, staring at the winding river view, his handsome face almost expressionless.

He remembered Theresa rummaging through his desk at noon, her confusion turning to delight upon seeing Sophia's design proposal.

He hadn't quite made out what she was saying then, the words of kids that age aren't too clear.

which she wanted to grab the design

when she stumbled and fell at

restaurant that he had run

half a world away, in another unexpected meeting, her neighborhood turned out to be the same

his gaze back from the river view, Brandon half-turned to glance at the liquor and glasses on

himself half a glass,

glass, couldn't help but call out to

lazily looked up.

up

stood up from the sofa and walked over to the bar, leaning on it before he couldn't resist glancing

been off ever since

distracted all afternoon, lost in thought, occasionally staring at Sophia's Zenithan-style resort design proposal on the

a straight answer out of

didn't leave the office until eight

had some wrap-up work to confirm with

they discussed work

like now, zoning out,

the afternoon, Brandon didn't seem to

and head home, get some

voice was light and lazy, and clearly, Brandon

an "OK" gesture with

head out then, you should get some sleep

the operating room at the hospital, the slim and pretty Sophia in the group photo, the

Sophia mingled in his thoughts, converging into the excitement and joy Theresa had shown

apple bobbed, Brandon set down the glass with a thud and got up

back at work as usual.

in Zion City for two days because of

she saw Sophia, "Two days off work, must have been pretty sweet,

chuckled awkwardly.

I'd gone with you guys," Marian said with a tinge of regret, "Back in my school days, I lived for those storm

laughed. "Wish I'd thought to

too," Marian chuckled, and upon seeing Don emerge from the office, she didn't forget to throw a line his way, "Mr. Dempsey, right? Next time you hit the road for a trip, count me in. I'm so bored outta my skull just cooped up in

bring you along next

also making sure to announce, "Alright, time to get ready for the

was taken aback, "What