The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Brandon didn't push her, and just sat there quietly, eyes on her, waiting for her answer.

Sophia pressed her lips and dropped her gaze, "lI don't want to be entangled with you anymore."

That was one of the reasons.

Knowing Brandon, if she had a boyfriend, he would definitely keep his distance. He was the type who took responsibility seriously

and had a strong sense of his own turf.

When they were married, no matter the motive, he would step up as a husband. But if she becsomeone else's girlfriend or

wife, he'd back off.

Brandon has always been about self-discipline and propriety, and he always respected her choices.

But this time, Brandon didn't just let it go, still looking at her calmly, "Then why not just go all in and make it real?"

Sophia couldn't help but look up at him.

"He's not the right fit," she said.

Brandon raised an eyebrow, "How so? Not the right fit?"

"He's too much like you."

"You mean, there's no chance for you two, ever?"

"lI don't know." Sophia shook her head honestly, "No one can predict the future. Just like when | first married you, | didn't know |

would end up divorced. | don't know if I'll change, or if he will, so | can't make any promises. All | know is, for now, there's no

chance for us."

Brandon's lips twitched into a half-smile, and then it disappeared quickly, "So you're saying, you're sure you and | are a dead-end.

He's like me, but you're keeping your options open with him."

After he said that, his voice paused, and his eyes turned sharp, "Sophia, you like him."

Sophia was taken aback, staring at him.

Brandon's eyes were deep and calm, "You've fallen for him, haven't you?"

Sophia shook her head slightly, "My reserved attitude is because | don't know him well enough yet. I'm not sure if my feelings will

change as | get to know him more. I'm just stating the facts. As for you and me, | know you, and | know myself. We've tried, and

reality has given us the answer."

Brandon kept watching her, "Even flunking college has a do-over with a retake; can't we try again?"

Sophia bit her lip and chuckled softly, "But this isn't about making up credits. If the shoe doesn't fit, it just doesn't fit. Forcing it will

only hurt and bleed. Maybe a new pair of shoes would be better."

She looked at Brandon again, "By the way, | heard from Don yesterday that you're going on a blind date; what's she like?"

Brandon glanced at her, "Heard she's quite a catch, Ivy League grad, pretty, bubbly, strong work ethic, not too demanding about

her other half, likes to keep her own space."

His tone was very calm.

Sophia couldn't help but laugh, "Sounds like a good match for you."

Brandon's lips curved slightly, "Yeah."

"When's the date?" Sophia asked.

Brandon replied, "One of these days, not set yet."

Sophia nodded in understanding, looking at him, "So, should | wish you luck on your blind date?"

Brandon's lips moved slightly, "Thanks."

The conversation fell into an awkward silence.

Sophia wasn't sure what to talk about next, and lowered her head to quietly sip her soup. Brandon didn't eat, still just watching her.

The intense feeling of being watched made Sophia stop her soup-sipping. She looked up and gave Brandon a shy smile, "I'm full."

Brandon responded with a soft "Okay," and put down his tableware.

Sophia saw that he hadn't touched his soup. Hesitantly, she still couldn't resist, "Do you want to eat smore? The food's still

warm."

"I'm good."

Brandon got up and headed towards the living room.

On the coffee table, there was sfresh fruit he'd just bought. Brandon glanced at it and reached for it to wash.

Sophia saw his hand was inconvenient and quickly took over, "Lethelp you cut it; you take a seat."

Brandon looked at her and didn't stop her.

Sophia loaded the dishes into the dishwasher, then washed and cut the fruit, plated it, brought it to the coffee table, and then

looked at Brandon, "I've put the fruit here for you, so I'll,"

She gestured behind her with her hand, "Head back?"

Brandon glanced at her, not saying anything. His calm and deep eyes made Sophia's smile stiffen a bit, and just when she thought

he was going to ignore her, he leaned over and picked up his phone, "Stay a bit longer. I'll have Kent take you."

"It's okay. It's a hassle for him to make the trip." Sophia instinctively protested, "I can just take a cab; it's not late."

"It's fine; he gets overtpay."

Brandon was already calling Kent as he spoke, "Ctake Sophia home."

After hanging up, he tossed the phone aside, glanced at the scrape on his right arm, and reached for the medicine on the coffee

table to change his dressing. He didn't ask for Sophia's help.

Seeing the bandage on his left hand, Sophia finally knelt down and took the medicine from him, "Letdo it."

Brandon looked at her and let go, allowing her to take care of it.

He sat on the sofa. Standing was inconvenient for Sophia, so she knelt in front of him, took a cotton swab, dipped it in antiseptic,

and gently cleaned his wound.

Brandon watched her face.

Her face was still fair and beautiful, with a hint of the innocence she had at seventeen, but now with a touch of the quiet beauty

that cwith age. Her lashes were thick and her gaze gentle as she looked down.

Her expression was serious and composed, but this seriousness was devoid of any emotion.

To her, it was just a wound, like any other passerby's wound could be, not Brandon's.

This calmness was like when she had asked about his blind date earlier, with her expression and smile full of well wishes.

Brandon's lips curved slightly, and then quickly straightened out, his eyes still fixed on Sophia, very calm.

Sophia finally finished treating the wound. She looked up at Brandon, "All done, the dressing is changed."

She said, glancing at Brandon, and softly advised, "You need to change it again tomorrow; be careful not to get it wet."

Brandon's lips moved, "Thanks." He didn't move.

Sophia pressed her lips, "You're welcome."

She stood up, "Well. I'm gonna head back. If Kent shows up, tell him to stick around and take care of you."

"Sure."

Brandon didn't budge an inch, just watched her.

His stillness sent an inexplicable shiver down Sophia's spine. She chuckled awkwardly, turned to leave, but suddenly her wrist was

gripped tightly.

Confused, Sophia looked at Brandon, but before she could get a good look, the hand on her wrist yanked her towards him.

In a dizzying whirl, Sophia found herself pinned tightly against Brandon.

Panicking, she pushed against him, but her arms were trapped by his, pressed to the side of her head.

He was staring at her intensely, his eyes cold and deep, the earlier casual chit-chat vibe gone without a trace.

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