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 two

too, didn’t say more, just gave a polite smile and walked

another sound, 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

Chapter

buy a new bulb for

the new bulb, Sophia

unavoidably locked

pretend he wasn’t there, but they had been like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn’t be overly friendly either. When their eyes met again, she gave a slight tug of her lips, a sort

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

Brandon opened the door and followed her

Sophia didn’t say anything.

silently trailed behind her all the way

Sophia couldn’t bear it and turned hesitantly. “Do you

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food

help but remind him, “You

swing by for

hesitatingly unlocking

in her hand, his brows knitting slightly.

“Yeah, the bathroom

reached out. “Give it

I can

was cut short as Brandon had already taken the

the bathroom fixture, grabbed a chair from the hallway, and stood on it, easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go turn

turned on her phone’s flashlight to help him

deep, steady voice came from above as he skillfully removed the old

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 the

She watched, transfixed.

caught off guard by his gaze. She

gaze shifted from her retreating legs to her

Sophia

go check if the

leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and

beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had pulled her

in a 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

Chapter

kiss.

to

and the back of her skull

Sophia couldn’t resist

to fill the

against the wall,

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 more intense, teetering on the edge of losing control, when

from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek

sense his

pick up the ringing

at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering the device as she

at her before heading to the

a