The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

The cam at Sophia's place can catch the view across to the other house's front door, and through the app, Susan spotted Brandon

stepping out.

She also saw him escorting Sophia back to the 15th floor earlier.

Their high-sensitivity cam worked well, even a cat sneaking by would trigger a notification.

Sophia already guessed Susan was spying through the cam and replied with a "Gotcha," put down her phone, and was about to

rest when Susan's text popped up, full of curiosity, "Why's Brandon here all of a sudden?"

"He bought the condo across the hall."

Susan was surprised at this.

Sophia was dead beat and not up for a chat: "Gonna catch sZ's, let Theresa know, okay?"

Susan sent an "OK" gesture: "Sleep tight."

Sophia killed her phone's screen, put it on the nightstand, and hit the sack.

She was out like a light the moment her eyes shut.

Brandon didn't barge in to disturb her. He still had stuff to sort out, fingers flying over the keyboard as the sleeping computer came

back to life.

The screen was locked. Sophia hadn't shared her password, but Brandon remembered she used to set it to something as pointless

as "1234."

He gave those digits a shot, and bingo, the computer unlocked, revealing the desktop.

Brandon spotted the design proposal she hadn't closed, it was still rough around the edges.

He minimized the app, pulled up his email, and dove into work.

By the the wrapped up around 11, he turned off the computer, glanced towards Sophia's room, saw it was quiet, but felt a bit

uneasy, so he nudged the door open.

His touch was feather-light, didn't wake Sophia.

She was deep asleep, hands neatly placed in front of her belly as if afraid of squashing something. Brandon remembered Sophia's

sleep posture used to be all over the place.

When alone, she'd hug a pillow, half her body squished on it, clinging to the sense of security it gave her.

After they got married, she ditched the pillow but would unconsciously use him as one, often ending up snuggled against him mid-

sleep, one arm and leg thrown over him without a clue.

Once she realized, maybe out of embarrassment, she tried to change, but still favored curling up on her side, body instinctively

bent like a shrimp, the fetal position's self-defence.

Brandon had never seen her sleep so still before. He glanced at Sophia's resting face, then his eyes shifted, landing on the phone

by her bed, pausing.

He remembered the number Theresa had painstakingly punched in last night, his fingers hovering over the phone.

Brandon looked back at Sophia on the bed.

She was sleeping soundly, oblivious to him at the door.

After a silent moment, his fingers twitched slightly, dialing the number Theresa had left.

He lifted the phone to his ear, eyes fixed on the nightstand, as a polite voice from customer service floated in: "Hello, the number

you have dialed is switched off."

The phone on the nightstand didn't stir.

A small smile curled Brandon's lips, he shook his head with a chuckle, then looked back at Sophia, sound asleep.

He didn't disturb her. Instead, he quietly closed the door, hit the supermarket downstairs to grab sfresh ingredients, and

whipped up lunch himself.

Cnoon, Sophia was still out. Brandon didn't wake her, let her sleep on.

Sophia's nap was deep and long, and when she woke up at four in the afternoon, her brain was foggy, not quite sure if it was day

or night. She freshened up, wandered into the living room, only to freeze at the sight of Brandon busy at the computer. She

blinked, still a bit groggy.

Brandon stopped typing and turned to her: "You're up?"

Sophia nodded slowly: "You're still here?"

"Yeah." Brandon stood up, "Go have something to eat. I'll warm it up for you."

He headed to the kitchen without any sign of leaving.

Sophia wasn't sure when he planned to leave and didn't feel right keeping him around too long.

"lI don't want eat," Sophia suggested. "Let's eat out."

Brandon turned to her, silent, but his scrutinizing eyes sent a jolt of panic through her.

But she kept her cool: "Been ages since | had a nice meal. Was planning to treat myself this weekend anyway."

Brandon knew she sometimes would go out and eat alone. He eyed her for a moment, then nodded: "I'll join you. Been a while

since | had a nice meal."

Sophia agreed: "Cool. I'll go change."

As she turned to leave, she couldn't help but glance back at him: "I was thinking of inviting Cindy and Mr. Dempsey. They've been a

big help; been wanting to take them out for a meal."

"lI do mind," Brandon said, deliberate with every word.

Sophia pursed her lips: "Then maybe you shouldn't come."

"Are you trying to tickoff?" Brandon asked, all chill.

Sophia tilted her head slightly, avoiding eye contact, "You're making it hard for me."

Brandon watched her in silence for a good while, then slowly nodded.

"I'll head back first, take care of yourself." His voice was steady, without a hint of annoyance or anger. His sudden easygoing

attitude caught Sophia off guard for a moment.

Brandon didn't linger; he grabbed his phone and gently reminded her, "The food on the table was made at 2 pm, heat it up if you

feel like eating. If you want to go out, go ahead, but don't stay up too late tonight."

Sophia could only nod instinctively, thrown by his strategic retreat and tender approach.

Without further ado, Brandon pulled open the door and stepped out.

After the door closed, Brandon stood there with his back to it, not moving for a while.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the restlessness and helplessness rising in his heart, and then walked away.

Heading downstairs, Brandon fished out his phone and called Grace; he wanted to see Theresa.

Grace picked up quickly after a few rings.

"Hi Grace, it's Brandon," he said calmly, "I'd like to see Theresa, are you guys home?"

"We're not," Grace sounded apologetic, "Theresa's mom is on annual leave next week, they've gone on a trip out of town."

Brandon's lips curved slightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, "Lettalk to Theresa's mom."

"That might not be a good idea, it could lead to misunderstandings."

"Then let Theresa talk to me."

"She's asleep. Can | have her call you back later when she wakes up?"

"Mhm." Brandon hung up without another word, exhaling deeply, his handsface still a bit tense. He didn't turn back to check

on the eighteenth floor.

He knew without looking that she wouldn't be home.

Sophia stared at the closed door, standing still without moving, void of joy or longing, just numbness. She sat alone in the room for

a long time, so long that the sky began to darken, before she finally went to grab her phone.

Susan had left her a voice message in the morning while she was asleep.

She and Grace took Theresa to play in the neighboring Zion City and told her not to worry.

Zion City is a seaside tourist town with pleasant weather and beautiful scenery, boasting vast beaches and coastlines, and plenty

of water entertainment for kids.

Sand and water are always a hit with kids. Theresa had never seen the sea before and hadn't had much chance to play with sand

or water, so she was super stoked. The minute she hit the beach, she went wild, running around, playing with sand, and splashing

in the water.

Susan also sent a video of Theresa having a blast.