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.

norm for

too, didn’t say more, just gave a polite smile and

didn’t make another sound, didn’t follow her,

car still parked there through the glass of a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion as phe

Chapter

buy a new bulb for the

out with the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

unavoidably locked eyes

in their mamage, so she couldn’t be overly friendly either. When their eyes met again,

just watched her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s breathing

she passed his car Brandon opened the door and followed her

Sophia didn’t say anything.

behind her

and

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food

couldn’t help but remind him,

an old friend swing

was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the

noticed the bulb in her hand,

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom bulb

reached out. “Give it

I can

was cut short as Brandon had already taken the bulb from

light. Sophia, worried about

on her phone’s flashlight to

came from above as he skillfully removed

change a bulb before, but it seemed like smart folks have a knack for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s

She watched, transfixed.

from the chair. Sophia was still staring, caught off guard

to her

silence made Sophia feel

check if the

wrist was suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light filled the

knew it, Brandon had pulled her in

while his other hand fell to the back of her head, lifting her face towards his. His crisp breath

Chapter

kiss.

to push him

of her skull suddenly

Sophia couldn’t resist

breathing began to fill the cramped

Sophia against the wall, kissing her somewhat

had rarely seen Brandon so rough and domineering, his demeanor tinged with a desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper,

his face, and pressed her cheek against

sense his

pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and handed

at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering the device as she turned away, Hello, who’s

heading to the electrical switch by the

couldn’t help but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the