The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 475

"Something up?" Brandon asked, his voice sounding worn out.

"I'm getting discharged tomorrow." Daniel announced, his authoritative family patriarch vibe coming back as if on cue now that he was back in fighting form, "Make some time to pick me up."

But this time, Brandon didn't snap back at him or calmly make arrangements like he used to. He just hummed a vague acknowledgment, his exhaustion seeming to deepen, his whole demeanor listless and flat.

Daniel was taken aback, "What's up with you? You sound beat."

Brandon didn't respond, and just let his gaze wander out the window, staring into the vast night.

"Brandon?" Daniel called out, a bit unsure now, a sense of panic creeping up on him for no good reason.

He'd watched Brandon grow up and had never seen him like this.

Brandon was always composed and reliable, the kind of guy who made one feel like even if the sky fell, he'd be there to catch it.

In his mind, his son was always bursting with energy, always cool as a cucumber, always invincible.

It was like he never got tired, never wore out, and never let anything or anyone get to him. Always on top of things, his mood as stable as a rock, not like the average Joe.

So in his fixed view, Daniel never worried about Brandon. In fact, when stuff hit the fan, his first instinct was to go to him.

Brandon was like a guardian deity to everyone around him.

Deities didn't have emotions or needs that he has to consider. These thoughts flickered through Daniel's mind, but the other end of the phone remained silent. "Brandon?" He raised his voice just a notch, careful not to sound too harsh.

He would have preferred Brandon to be like he was in the office, fiercely warning him not to do this or that, rather than seeing him so drained and lifeless now.

right word. Brandon seemed utterly devoid of

apply to Brandon, suddenly

to coax him, "something's up, isn't it? If something's bothering

He glanced down at the phone that

ever spoken to him with such

Showing vulnerability was not an emotion they allowed. So

spoke from a high ground, criticizing him, making demands, making plans for him. Even though Daniel had no real power in the family, his insistence on

even softer and

didn't answer; he just let his fingers absently stroke the edge of the phone, his expression

was able

"Brandon?"

he turned to Yvonne, "Yvonne, go check

kind of trouble could he be in?" Yvonne was dismissive, sharing Daniel's perception. To her, Brandon had

he was busy, not because he was tired or

Daniel seemed stuck on the possibility, urging her, "I can tell something's off with his mood. He's never been like this, and he's been silent too long. Go check on him. What if there's a

figuring out how to fix it, not moping around wasting time. He's tough as nails; even his divorce didn't faze him, let alone company troubles," her voice trailed off, worried Brandon might overhear. In her eyes, a divorce was a bigger deal than any company issue, and Brandon hadn't seemed affected by it in years, so company problems were even less likely. Dad, relax. Anyone might have a breakdown, but not my brother. He's unshakeable." Yvonne

glanced at

you're right." He said, still unsure as he called through the phone,

"I'm fine."

his voice lacked the control and

wasn't spirited; it was even more lifeless

problem with

"No."

lifeless, "Is there something you