The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 481

Yvonne shot him a text back real quick, "Told ya last night, Brandon's mess has gotta be tied to my sis-in-law, but you wouldn't believe me."

"Bullshit." Daniel snapped back vulgarly, "Get your brother to pick me up. What kinda look is it for a grown man to be sloshed like that?"

Yvonne didn't dare say more, just meekly replied with an "Okay" and pocketed her phone, glancing at Brandon who was still half-closed eyes, resting; she wanted to call out to him but didn't have the guts to disturb or the heart to do it.

She looked over at Kent, all begging eyes, "Kent." hoping he'd step in to help.

Kent hesitated, glanced at Brandon, and felt a bit stuck too, "Mr. Crawley's in no shape to pick anyone up right now."

He couldn't help but push Yvonne a little, "How 'bout I go with you to get

Chairman Crawley? Mr. Crawley's in a bad mood; just let him chill here alone for a bit."

He was about to start getting ready, but Yvonne wasn't having any of it.

"No way. Being alone's just asking for trouble, especially with booze involved," Yvonne said, haunted by all those news stories about drunk folks choking on their own vomit. She didn't like the idea of leaving Brandon alone one bit, especially since her dad had specifically asked for Brandon to come get him.

"What the heck's actually going on with Brandon and Sophia?" Yvonne couldn't help but whisper.

"I really don't know the details." Kent whispered back, "But things don't look peachy. I mean, when have you ever seen Mr. Crawley like this?"

Yvonne nodded and asked softly, "They aren't together anymore, are they?"

"About that." Kent gave an awkward chuckle, "You might wanna ask Mr. Crawley yourself."

While he suggested Yvonne should ask Brandon directly, he couldn't help but add, "I mean, it's been ages since I've seen them together. Mr. Crawley's been solo parenting, haven't seen him on the phone either. Nowadays, it's all work or home with the kid. Speaking of which, poor kiddo, either without a dad or a mom."

He trailed off, implying more than he said, and glanced at Yvonne.

Yvonne herself being a mom, felt the sting in her heart just listening, her gaze drawn back to Brandon indoors, not noticing the look Kent gave her.

Brandon seemed to come to, rubbing at his furrowed brow, a pained expression on his face.

"Brandon."

Yvonne couldn't help but call out to him, walking over, "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine."

still tinged with the rough edge of

dad's getting discharged today?" Yvonne said, her eyes drifting to the mess of bottles unwittingly, "Why are

answer, already pushing himself

"Let's go."

table. Maybe the drink had hit him harder than

out to

you're okay?" She asked worriedly, "Why would

"I'm fine."

he shrugged her off, his steps unsteady. Kent rushed over to help but got shoved away before

to clean this

past him. Yvonne

time Brandon didn't push her away, standing at the elevator,

reeked of alcohol, looking painfully sober yet distressed.

never seen him drunk

not sure if it was for Brandon or at the sight of

you sure

couldn't help but ask, looking

back discomfort.

descended to the

"You drive."

the elevator, Brandon tossed the keys to Yvonne, speaking

clearer, but the pain on his handsome

with the remote, when a white sedan rolled to a stop at

opened, and Sophia

called out,

his forehead, hadn't noticed the car; Yvonne's call made him pause and look up at

the driver and looked up, locking eyes with Brandon

the two, sensing a strange distance between

who'd been

with neither speaking up, she broke the silence with a strained laugh,

at her and nodded slightly,

help but look at Brandon again. He looked a bit off, and there was a

events he'd just clink glasses lightly, hardly ever smelling of

the middle of the day,

frowned in confusion, about to speak, but seeing Yvonne's puzzled

was Yvonne who couldn't stand the silence, chuckling awkwardly as she explained to Sophia, "Dad's

a light nod of acknowledgment, "You guys