The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 370

Worried about bothering Theresa and Grace, Sophia snuck over to the studio next door to whip up pasta for Brandon.

She was usually all about Theresa's balanced diet; the fridge was like Noah's Ark, got a bit of everything.

Brandon's a fan of light flavors, so Sophia grabbed some fresh shrimp, clams, eggs, and green onions, planning to toss up a seafood pasta dish for him.

The kitchen next door was stocked with everything she'd need.

"Take a breather for a sec," Sophia said as she walked in and turned to Brandon.

He nodded, peeling off his tie with one hand as he headed for the bathroom. Passing by, Sophia caught a faint whiff of disinfectant on him - subtle and not quite real. She cast an unwitting glance at him.

Brandon had already ditched the tie and suit jacket.

"I'm gonna hit the shower," he said, flinging his clothes into the hamper.

"Okay," Sophia nodded.

She got to work in the kitchen, grabbing a pot single-handedly, rinsing it, filling it with water, and setting it on the stove to heat up. With her other hand, she poured the shrimp into a clean basin and skillfully yanked off the heads and lines, then peeled and deveined them.

Being the only girl at home, and not exactly the apple of her parents' eye, Sophia got roped into all kinds of chores by Laura Yearwood from a young age. So, she was no stranger to fending for herself, and her cooking skills were on point.

Whipping up a meal was a piece of cake for her. In no time, Sophia had prepped the shrimp and clams.

Fresh out of the shower, Brandon caught sight of Sophia, busily moving about the kitchen, the rich scent of seafood mingling with the zesty ginger and spring onions wafting through the room.

He couldn't help but watch her.

Freshly showered, her hair clipped up casually with a claw clip, with lazy curls framing her face - a look of relaxed elegance.

neatly fished out shrimp heads and clamshells. Then, effortlessly, she grabbed the kettle with her now-free hand, pouring the boiling water over the simmered seafood, moving smoothly as if untouched by the mundane world around

reminded of Patricia

provoked a soul, yet she

just due to her talent - all the blame and bullying were merely because

turned to see Brandon leaning against the doorframe, quietly watching her. She flashed him a smile, "All

nodded softly,

ready," Sophia

"Okay."

and as he walked over, he suddenly wrapped his arms

slightly but

with Brandon tonight - a deep weariness emanating

let go but instead pulled her closer, enveloping her in a tender embrace that carried an

to look

hers, and without a word, he leaned in to kiss her lips, following

of restraint and release, stopped her. Her hands, initially set to push him away, ended

unleashed the pent-up emotions inside Brandon. His kisses grew fierce and

her gently, pressing her against the countertop.

down on her hair at the nape of her neck,

of simmering seafood started to bubble, keeping time

to maintain some sense of control, reaching to turn off the stove, but Brandon

hand reached behind, and with a click, the gas was turned off, quieting

went from wild to gentle,

breathing and the

head as they

in the pot quieted down with the

smoothed out. In the silence, Brandon softly said, "My dad had a cerebral hemorrhage and was taken to the hospital today. I spent the day

at him in