The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 694

"A Man Named Ivan."

Sophia said, unable to resist glancing at Brandon. She noticed his brows furrow deeply.

"Do you know him?" she asked, feeling an inexplicable unease at Brandon's reaction, worried that Ivan might be telling the truth.

But Brandon had just mentioned they'd been married for over five years. It seemed impossible for her to have another relationship within their marriage.

Brandon noticed the worry in Sophia's eyes and offered a reassuring smile. "Sort of," he replied.

He then asked, "When did you two meet?"

Sophia couldn't have met Ivan after she returned. Since coming back, aside from a brief shopping trip with Lynn and Theresa, she hadn't left Brandon's sight.

"It was the day I first saw you," Sophia explained, recalling a conversation they'd had about their first meeting at the hospital. "It was right after we discussed the design proposal for the museum and the idea of adding a cultural corridor. I went back to campus for inspiration and saw you with President Poe by the entrance."

Brandon recalled that day clearly.

"I was staring at you, lost in thought, and then a motorcycle came by. I tried to get out of the way and ended up falling. Ivan happened to be there and helped me," Sophia elaborated. "Later, on the day of the school anniversary, I couldn't get into the campus and ran into him at the mall across the street."

Brandon suddenly remembered encountering Ivan on campus that day and how Ivan had blocked his view later on.

Back then, Brandon had sensed something was off about Ivan's appearance and had Kent look into Ivan's whereabouts and connections over the past few months. The investigation revealed that Ivan had been solo.

Since leaving Star Dempsey Architects, Ivan spent some time in Zion City searching for Sophia. When he couldn't find her, he went to Wye City, staying there for a while. He recently returned due to Mr. Evert's health issues and some family business troubles, temporarily renting an apartment near the West District High School for convenience. His records showed no connection to Sophia.

was nothing about Sophia in the

vast, yet Ivan had coincidentally

everywhere, Brandon, who never believed in fate, had

encounter with Sophia stirred a sense of unease

and Sophia lacked

But Ivan had it.

Sophia more anxious. She instinctively took hold of his hand, her concern evident

of her own gesture, Brandon noticed it. His heart warmed as he tightened his grip on her

"What did

my boyfriend and

grad school together. He even suggested that if I didn't believe him, could visit Wye City with him," Sophia recounted, frowning. "But you just mentioned we've been married for over five years,

to study or

could Ivan still have feelings for me after all these years? We've been married for

was the question that lingered in her mind ever since

had been married for so long, why would

why she decided to clarify the situation with Brandon-she didn't want this issue looming over her like

worried about Ivan's claim of

to learn about this from anyone else, fearing it would lead to a dilemma of whether to

her directly, dispelling her concerns, "and there's nothing romantic between

though she

"Really?" she asked.

your history with Ivan. You three were

interactions, he trusted Sophia based on their time together at Starlight Group and

character He believed she