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

didn’t say more, just gave

another sound, didn’t follow her, but

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

Chapter

new bulb for

new bulb, Sophia saw

locked eyes

they had been like strangers in their mamage, so

just watched her, his presence heavy, making

Brandon opened the door and followed her up the stairs in

Sophia didn’t say anything.

speak, just silently trailed behind her

it and turned hesitantly. “Do you

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food

couldn’t help but remind him, “You

old friend swing

speechless, hesitatingly unlocking

bulb in her hand, his brows knitting

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned

out. “Give

okay, I can do

refusal was cut short as Brandon

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

to help

from above as

figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool.

She watched, transfixed.

guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged

from her retreating legs to her face, lingering

silence made Sophia feel even more

go check if the light’s

to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light

before she knew it, Brandon

wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell to the back of her head, lifting her face

Chapter

kiss.

to

of her skull suddenly lightened,

Sophia couldn’t resist

breathing began to

against the wall,

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

seeing his face, and pressed her

could clearly sense

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

not looking up at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering the device as she turned away, Hello,

to the electrical switch by the

at his retreating figure as a female voice