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 the past

more, just gave a polite smile and

didn’t follow her, but he didn’t leave

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

Chapter

there to buy a new bulb for the broken bathroom

out with the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

locked eyes

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

watched her, his presence heavy,

his car Brandon opened the door and

Sophia didn’t say anything.

behind her all the

it and turned hesitantly. “Do you need

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food

but remind him, “You know, we’re

friend swing

was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the

noticed the bulb in her hand, his brows knitting slightly.

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom

reached out.

okay, I can do

was cut short as Brandon had already

chair from the hallway, and stood on it, easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go turn off the power,” and shut off

on her phone’s flashlight to help him

voice came from above as he skillfully removed the

figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s eyes drifted from his hands

She watched, transfixed.

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

to her face, lingering on her eyes,

silence made Sophia feel even

check if

leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught,

beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had pulled

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

Chapter

kiss.

tried to

the back of her skull

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to

the wall, kissing her somewhat

his demeanor tinged with a desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to

from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek against his

could clearly sense his

let her go, turned to pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and handed

the phone and answering it,

before heading to the electrical switch

but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone. “Is this Sophia