The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 3

And Kent was stumped.

Brandon said, “Aren’t you busy at work?”-

Kent shook his head like a madman. “Busy, super busy.”

He sneaked a peek at the darkness outside the window and couldn’t help but give a little nudge. “Mr. Crawley, it’s way past quitting time, and, uh, I’ve got an appointment to check out a place with a realtor, can I take off now?”

Brandon glanced at the time on his computer-it was already past seven.

He gave a nod “Mhm.”

Thanks. Mr. Crawley. After a hurried thank you, Kent did a quick tidy up and bolted out the door.

When the office door shut, Brandon finally lifted his gaze from the computer, his eyes lingering on the closed door for a moment before drifting to the vast night outside the window.

It was the time when thousands of homes were lit up, and the lights in the distant neighborhood were twinkling like

stars.

Brandon’s mind wandered to the lights at home and Sophia, always curled up on the couch sketching.

Sophia’s face flashed through his mind, and Brandon’s expression softened. He pulled his eyes away from the window and back to the computer screen. His long fingers hit the keyboard, ready to dive back into work, but after typing just one character, he stopped. The designs and spreadsheets that once captivated him now seemed bland.

With a swift move, Brandon pushed the keyboard away, stood up, yanked his suit jacket off the coat rack, grabbed the car keys from his desk, and left.

Once in the car, his emotions gradually settled down.

Brandon let out a sigh, started the engine, and slowly drove off.

Outside the window, the busy streets were a blur of light and color, a hive of activity. Brandon drove aimlessly, not wanting to go home.

As he passed by Sophia’s neighborhood, Kent’s words burst into his mind unannounced. “Looks like Sophia’s gonna sell the house.”

Brandon couldn’t help but glance at the entrance to her complex.

Just then, Sophia emerged, and their eyes met in a fleeting moment as she paused.

Brandon saw her too, his gaze coolly sweeping over her face.

Sophia managed a strained smile.

Brandon coldly looked away.

Sophia felt awkward, gave a self-macking chuckle, and turned to leave.

Suddenly, Brandon called out to her, “Are you going out?”

His voice was as calm and steady as ever

Sophia looked at him surprised and nodded. “Yeah, just need to pick up a few things.”

Brandon nodded and said nothing more.

for the past

just gave

another sound, didn’t follow her,

his car still parked there through the glass of a

Chapter

was there to buy a new bulb for the

bulb, Sophia saw

unavoidably locked

so she couldn’t

emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy, making

she passed his car Brandon opened the door and

Sophia didn’t say anything.

just silently trailed behind her all the way to her

and turned hesitantly. “Do you need

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food at

couldn’t help but remind him, “You know, we’re

an old friend swing by for

was speechless, hesitatingly

her hand, his brows knitting slightly. “Light’s

“Yeah, the bathroom bulb

reached out.

I

Brandon had already taken the bulb

the hallway, and stood on it, easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said,

flashlight to help

deep, steady voice came from above as he skillfully removed

like smart folks have a knack for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s eyes

She watched, transfixed.

guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at her lips, stepping back to put

from her retreating legs to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet

made Sophia feel

go check if the light’s working

was suddenly caught, her phone

she knew it, Brandon had pulled

and his hand smoothly slid from her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell to the back of her head, lifting her face towards his. His crisp breath closed in, and Brandon sealed her lips

Chapter

kiss.

tried to push

waist and the back of her skull suddenly lightened, and

Sophia couldn’t resist

to fill the cramped

against the wall, kissing

chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of

abruptly stopped, keeping her from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek

sense his breathing

let her go, turned to pick up the ringing phone for the

softly, not looking up at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering the

glanced at her before heading to the

retreating figure as a female voice came through