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

too, didn’t say more, just gave a

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

still parked there through the glass of a shop

Chapter

was there to buy a new

the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon

unavoidably locked eyes

there, but they had been like strangers in their mamage, so

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

door and followed her

Sophia didn’t say anything.

speak, just silently trailed behind her all

Sophia couldn’t bear it and

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food at

remind

an old friend swing by for

hesitatingly unlocking the

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

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom bulb

out.

I can do

refusal was cut short as Brandon had already taken the

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

phone’s flashlight to help him see. “Can you see

came from above as he

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

She watched, transfixed.

staring, caught off guard by

gaze shifted from her retreating legs to her face, lingering

made Sophia

check if the light’s working

suddenly caught, her phone

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

panic, and his hand smoothly slid 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 closed in, and Brandon sealed her lips

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to push

waist and the back of her skull suddenly lightened, and

Sophia couldn’t resist

breathing began to

Sophia against the

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, the kiss became

from seeing his face, and pressed

sense

up the ringing phone

taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering

to the electrical switch

his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone. “Is this