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

gave a polite smile and walked

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

the glass of a shop window, her

Chapter

there to buy a new bulb for the

out with the new bulb, Sophia

unavoidably locked eyes

so she couldn’t be overly friendly either. When their eyes met again, she gave a slight tug of

no emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s breathing

door and followed her up the

Sophia didn’t say anything.

speak, just silently trailed behind her

and turned

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food

remind him, “You know, we’re

an old friend swing by

speechless, hesitatingly unlocking

hand, his

the bathroom bulb burned

out. “Give it

I

was cut short as Brandon had already

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

to help him see. “Can

above as he skillfully

movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of

She watched, transfixed.

off guard by

gaze shifted from her retreating legs to her face,

made Sophia feel

if the light’s working

that, she turned to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her

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

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

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to push him

her waist and the back of her skull suddenly lightened, and Brandon deepened the kiss with an undeniable

Sophia couldn’t resist

began to fill the

pushed Sophia against the

a desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper,

keeping her from seeing his face, and pressed her

could clearly sense his

turned to pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and

just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering

heading to

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