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.

was the norm for the past two

more, just gave a polite smile and

make another sound, didn’t follow her,

a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion as phe

Chapter

a new bulb for the

out with the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon

unavoidably locked eyes

so she couldn’t be overly friendly

just watched her, his presence heavy, making even

opened the door and followed her up the stairs

Sophia didn’t say anything.

behind her all

bear it and

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food at

but remind him, “You know,

friend swing by

was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the

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

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom

reached out.

I can

short as Brandon had already

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

turned on her phone’s flashlight to help him see.

voice came from above as he

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 eyes drifted from his hands to his face, his sharp profile silhouetted against

She watched, transfixed.

and stepped down from the chair. Sophia was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at her lips, stepping

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

made Sophia feel even more

if

suddenly caught,

heart skipped a beat, and before she knew it, Brandon

slid from her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell to the back of her head,

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to push

of her skull suddenly lightened,

Sophia couldn’t resist

breathing began to fill the

pushed Sophia against the

desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of losing control, when the piercing ringtone of the cellphone shattered the room’s

abruptly stopped, keeping her from seeing his face, and

clearly sense his breathing slowly

to pick up the ringing phone for

the phone and answering it, her hand covering the device

at her before heading to

help but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone.