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

gave a polite smile and walked

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

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

Chapter

buy a new

out with the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still

locked

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,

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

car Brandon opened the door and followed

Sophia didn’t say anything.

her

bear it and turned hesitantly.

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

any food

but remind him, “You know,

friend swing by for

speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the

her hand,

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned

reached out.

I can do

cut short as Brandon had already taken the bulb from

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 off the power,” and shut off the circuit breaker,

turned on her phone’s flashlight to help him see. “Can

steady voice came from above as he

change a bulb before, but it seemed like smart folks have a knack for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of

She watched, transfixed.

was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at

from her retreating legs to her

made Sophia feel even

check if

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

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

in a panic, and his hand smoothly slid from her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to push him

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

Sophia couldn’t resist

to fill

against the wall, kissing her

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 more intense, teetering on the edge

abruptly stopped, keeping her from seeing his face, and pressed her

clearly sense his breathing

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

looking up at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand

before heading to the

but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the