The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

"I gotta stick with Theresa." Sophia whispered, "How about you crash at Mr. Dempsey's place tonight, and since tomorrow's the

weekend, there's no rush to hit the job."

"I'm picky with my beds."

Didn't he sleep like a log in that tiny second bedroom of hers?

Brandon's gaze had already shifted to Theresa, who was being held by Sophia, "Theresa, why don't you catch sZ's at home

with Grace, and let mom swing by to fetch dad, sound good?"

Theresa nodded, "Okay."

Brandon looked at Sophia, "I'll send the driver to pick you up, cover."

Sophia hesitated, "Can't the driver just bring you back? No need to run him ragged."

Brandon replied, "He gets overtpay; he's happy to make the extra cash.”

"Brandon." Sophia called him softly, "What's up with you tonight?"

Brandon fell silent as he looked at her. He didn't speak, and just let his eyes rest steadily on her. His gaze was deep and profound,

like an abyss that had no bottom.

"Sophia." After a while, he finally spoke, his voice already hoarse, "I wanna see you."

Sophia looked at him in surprise.

She was not just surprised that he told her straightforwardly that he wanted to see her. They hadn't been apart for a long time, nor

were they living in different places.

They were living together, had gotten up together that morning, and taken the kid to the company together; they hadn't even

been apart for 24 hours.

He wouldn't chome, but suddenly told her he wanted to see her.

"Something happen?" Sophia asked softly.

"Nothing." Brandon calmly dismissed the possibility, but his eyes looking at her had an almost stubborn intensity, "I'm at Don's

place waiting for you. The driver will be there in about twenty minutes; he'll contact you when he arrives."

After saying that, Brandon hung up the phone and carelessly tossed his mobile onto the couch. He then sat down heavily on the

sofa.

Don, who had been watching their video call the whole time, was puzzled, "What's with the mood swing?"

"Nothing," cthe terse and cool denial.

"Con, you think I don't know you?" Don snorted lightly, "You don't want them to worry, so you'd rather hide out here to let off

steam than bring the bad vibes back to them. Now that you've vented, why are you getting all prickly with Sophia?"

The only thing he could think of that might have triggered Brandon's sudden sulk was the kid's phone call.

He hadn't misread the flicker of light in Brandon's eyes when he saw Sophia's call, and the sudden dimming when he realized it

was just the kid on the other end.

The instant he saw Sophia's call, he probably had shope.

Then the disappointment of that hope not being met, and the kid repeatedly confirming that Sophia hadn't looked for him, that she

didn't care whether he cback or not, must have stung.

Thinking of how Brandon had repeatedly confirmed with the kid on the phone whether Sophia had mentioned him, Don couldn't

help but shake his head and chuckle.

Men in love sure could turn into childish ghosts.

Brandon just gave him a cold glance and said nothing, his chiseled face turning towards the balcony outside, looking into the vast

night with a slightly tense jawline.

Don didn't bother him further, turning to play with his cat instead.

Sophia rushed over in a little over forty minutes.

She couldn't not come. The driver had brought the car right to the foot of the apartment building.

If she didn't cdown, he wouldn't dare leave.

When Sophia went to ring the doorbell, it was Don who cto open it.

"Mr. Dempsey," Sophia politely greeted him.

Don smiled, "You got here quick."

Sophia gave an embarrassed chuckle and instinctively glanced into the apartment, "Is he still around?"

"Yeah, he's just chilling in the living room."

As Don said this, he welcomed Sophia into the house.

Sophia caught sight of Brandon sitting on the couch at first glance.

It was unclear whether he had fallen asleep or was just resting with his eyes closed, his head tilted slightly back against the couch.

"Brandon." Don called out to him, "Sophia's here."

"Mmm," with a vague and hoarse response, Brandon opened his eyes and turned to look at Sophia.

Sophia was still standing at the threshold between the entryway and the living room, looking a bit stiff.

Seeing him look over, she softly asked him, "You alright?"

"I'm fine."

Brandon replied quietly, propping himself up on the back of the sofa to stand, and whether it was from being tipsy or just waking

up, his body swayed slightly as he got up.

Sophia instinctively stepped forward to steady him. Brandon glanced at her but didn't push her away, instead leaning half his body

against her.

A faint smell of alcohol emanated from him. Sophia frowned slightly, "Did you drink a lot?"

"Not too much," Brandon said, leaning on her, his arm naturally wrapping around her shoulder.

"Theresa asleep?" He asked.

"Yeah, | put her to bed before | cover." Sophia replied softly, turning to bid Don farewell, "Mr. Dempsey, we'll be heading out.

Sorry for the intrusion tonight."

Don said with a smile, "No intrusion at all. Be safe on your way."

"We will. Thanks, Mr. Dempsey," Sophia thanked him gently.

The ragdoll cat nearby gave a "meow" as if to say goodbye, prompting Sophia to look at it. It was well-groomed and clearly well-

cared for, not really the kind of pet one would expect from a guy like Don.

She remembered Don as being quite hearty and carefree. She thought someone like him would have a big dog, not a cat.

Brandon also glanced at the ragdoll cat.

Don, as the host, called out with a smile, "Say bye-bye to them."

Both Brandon and Sophia was speechless.

The well-behaved ragdoll cat "meowed" again.

"Your cat is really cute," Sophia couldn't help but compliment.

"Yeah, | totally get that." When someone complimented his cat, Don couldn't help but show off his feline friend, "When | first

mentioned getting a cat, so many of my pals were like, 'Are you for real?’ They figured if anyone was gonna get a pet, it should be

a dog, hands down. But con, having a dog is nothing but hassle, gotta walk it every day. We're slammed with work as is, no

way we have tfor walkies. Cats are way more chill, plus they're cute and well-behaved."

Sophia chuckled and nodded in agreement, "They sure are."

"Let's head back."

Brandon interrupted their chitchat with a nonchalant tone. As he spoke, he let go of Sophia and staggered out. Sophia quickly

stepped forward to steady him.

The driver was still waiting downstairs.

Seeing Sophia helping Brandon down, the driver promptly popped the back door of the car open.

Sophia helped Brandon into the car and then climbed in herself.

Once inside, Brandon slumped against the seat, eyes shut, looking beat. Sophia didn't make a peep, and just sat quietly by the

other door.

After about ten minutes, the car pulled up beneath Sophia's apartment block.

Sophia was about to nudge Brandon when he already opened his eyes.

"Let's go," he murmured softly and was the first to step out of the car.

Sophia quickly followed, still instinctively helping him.

Brandon didn't really need the support; he had had a few drinks but wasn't drunk. He didn't shake her off, just let her help him into

the elevator and up to their floor.

Worried about waking Theresa with the noise, they headed to the neighboring stuinstead. Sophia supported Brandon all the

way to the bathroom door.

"Why don't you take a shower first?" She whispered, "I'll go grab you sclothes and whip up ssoup."

After saying this, she let go of his hand resting on her shoulder and turned to leave.

Suddenly, her wrist was caught. Sophia looked back at him, puzzled.

Brandon didn't look back at her; instead, he pulled her wrist with a sudden tug, and with a thud, the bathroom door was closed

behind them; she was pulled into the bathroom.

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