The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 532

Kent instantly got why Brandon was keen to keep these folks around and bump

their pay.

When they were clean as a whistle, getting a pat on the back and a salary that was doubled by the big boss wasn't gonna make them want to bail. They couldn't find a gig this sweet anywhere else, and they were all here to make a buck, after all.

Especially with everyone spooked about the bad juju from the beam that kept failing, those willing to roll the dice and give it a shot, well, cash was king for them.

Only someone with skeletons in their closet would think of hitting the road when the heat was on and the cops had got a smoking gun.

"I'm on it," Kent quickly piped up.

Brandon gave a slight nod, didn't say another word, but stayed put. He stood where Sophia had taken her fall the night before, gazing down at the railing, reaching out as if to touch it, his hand trembling before he could lay it down.

Kent, standing behind him, couldn't read his face and, worried, called out, "Mr. Crawley?"

"Go on, I'm fine."

Brandon's voice was steady as he continued to look down at the railing. Finally, his shaking hand slowly gripped the railing, and then tightened, the familiar veins slowly standing out on his arm.

That was the last place Sophia had left her mark.

at the bulging veins on Brandon's arm unconsciously and then at his silhouette, worried but not

dare disturb Brandon any further and silently backed

the horror and helplessness of Sophia being struck and flung into the air, a raw pain surging in his chest, so intense it made his stomach clench, even breathing

like this. He thought he'd lost her many times before - the never-again goodbyes after high school, the turning away when they divorced, over and over. He thought he'd already lost her so many times,

things were before; no one was indispensable

without her quiet, dimpled smile looking up at him, calling him "Brandon" in her uniquely soft voice, it felt like

losing her at all. She had just been away

But this time.

railing suddenly tightened, bending him over in stomach pain. He looked out at the now calm river,

let you go that day, how much

murmur rose with the morning breeze, but other than the gentle sound of the wind over the water, no one answered

"Sophia."

each time a deeper stab of pain, but he kept on calling like self-torture, more urgent and choked

his limbs. Brandon never knew time could

what about Theresa? But in all this time, he'd never really spent it, never truly been there

arrived following Kent's directions, she saw Brandon

him. But remembering Theresa in the hotel trapped in a nightmare, crying

but said

we got back to the hotel, and she won't wake up. Should we take her to the

Grace voiced her concern.

She and Susan