The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 289

Brandon was walking Theresa home from the park.

On the way back, the little girl, who was already a bit sleepy, perked up and became super lively in the car.

Peeking through the rearview mirror, Brandon could see the excitement twinkling in her eyes. Her big, clear eyes would occasionally dart his way, mixed with a hint of shyness.

He remembered the last time he drove her home from the company, she seemed a bit evasive and dodgy around him.

That was because Daniel had popped by unexpectedly, and in the heat of the moment, he didn't consider her feelings. He was only thinking about getting Yvonne to whisk her away from the drama so she wouldn't witness the grown-ups' spat. He forgot to explain things to her in advance, so the poor kid probably thought he was giving her the boot, which left her down in the dumps and fussing to go home.

Brandon ended up taking Theresa home himself, and throughout the ride, she totally ditched her usual clinginess to him. When she got out of the car, she seemed a bit dodgy and sulky.

But now, watching the little munchkin, it was as if she had completely erased the previous upset from her memory, her face lit up with surprise and excitement. It made you wonder whether kids just have short memories or what.

"Theresa, are you still mad at me?" Brandon asked softly, looking at the well- behaved little girl in the backseat.

Theresa shook her head right away. "Not mad."

Then, a bit puzzled, she asked him, "Where did you go? I haven't seen you for so long."

"I went to work," Brandon replied, his heart warmed by her childlike words, softening his voice as he asked her, "Did you miss me during all this time?"

Theresa nodded earnestly. "Missed."

Her eyes caught sight of the mall outside the window, and she remembered the last time they went to the claw machine with Brandon, adding, "Want to go with you to play the claw machine."

too. "Do you want to play

like

reason with her. "Aren't you sleepy? Let's go home and sleep, and another day we can go with

"Mr. Crawley, I'm sorry,

Brandon nodded understandingly. "Mhm."

said to Theresa, "I will take you home to sleep now, and another day when I'm free, we can go play,

hands twisted together in

the rearview mirror, Brandon paused for a moment, then turned to look

hour. After that, you should go home to

nodded with joy.

wired right now, I'll take her to play for half

all signs of sleepiness, hesitated for a moment, then nodded

drove into the mall's underground parking. After parking the car, he bent over and scooped Theresa up in

one seemed to really

climb up onto him, and snuggled into his embrace, warm, soft, and tiny-a feeling that

slammed the car door shut, then turned to ask her, "Did

earnestly nodded. "Mhm,

pointed back to

milk bottle bag and handed it

holding the milk

didn't meddle with their home schooling methods, and seeing that she

kids that age, let alone their