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

didn’t say more, just gave a

another sound, didn’t follow her, but

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

Chapter

buy a new bulb for the broken bathroom

the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon

unavoidably locked eyes

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

her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s

door and followed her

Sophia didn’t say anything.

her all the

and

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food at

but remind him, “You know, we’re

old friend swing by

was speechless, hesitatingly

hand, his brows knitting slightly. “Light’s

nodded. “Yeah, the

reached out. “Give it

I can

was cut short as Brandon had already taken the bulb from

at 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

to help him see. “Can you

from above as he skillfully removed the old

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

She watched, transfixed.

from the chair. Sophia was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at her lips, stepping

her face,

made Sophia

if the light’s

her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone

skipped a beat, and before she knew

his hand smoothly slid from her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand

Chapter

kiss.

tried to

hands around her waist and the back of her skull suddenly lightened, and

Sophia couldn’t resist

to fill

Sophia against the wall,

rough and domineering, his demeanor tinged with a desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper,

from seeing his face, and pressed her

clearly sense his

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

to the electrical

help but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone. “Is this Sophia