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

just gave a polite smile

didn’t make 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

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new bulb

new bulb, Sophia

locked

enemies She couldn’t 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

showed no emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy,

the door and followed her up the stairs in

Sophia didn’t say anything.

her all the

and turned

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

food at

help but remind him, “You know,

old friend swing by for a

was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the

hand,

nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned

out.

I can do

Brandon had already taken

easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said,

her phone’s flashlight to help him

came from above as he

for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a

She watched, transfixed.

staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at her lips, stepping back to put some distance

her retreating legs to her

made Sophia

if

but her wrist was suddenly caught,

she knew it, Brandon had pulled her in front

his other hand fell to the back of

Chapter

kiss.

instinctively tried to

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

Sophia couldn’t resist

to fill the cramped

Sophia against the wall, kissing her

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 the

seeing his face,

sense his breathing slowly

turned to pick up the ringing phone for the second

the phone and answering it, her hand

heading to the electrical switch by

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