The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 130

Sophia hesitated, giving him a glance, finding it hard to open up.

During those two years when she and Brandon were an item, they never did the whole feeding each other thing, let alone now.

But Brandon was the epitome of patience, cradling the lunchbox in one hand and wielding the utensils in the other, tilting his head and watching her silently, not rushing her. Yet, his gaze was so intense it was giving Sophia a mental workout. She reluctantly opened up in the end.

Once she took the first bite, the second was easier.

Brandon acted like it was no biggie, not the least bit uncomfortable.

Sophia, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves.

Between the blood loss and not having eaten all day, she was already running on fumes, starving, but being hand-fed by Brandon was a pressure cooker, and after nibbling a bit to line her stomach, she couldn't really stomach any more.

"I'm full," she murmured.

Brandon glanced at the half-eaten meal and didn't push her, just looked at her calmly and said, "Sophia, you're scared of being a bother, but do you even have anyone else to bother?"

Sophia pursed her lips and kept mum.

She really didn't.

Her social circle was pitifully small, and the only one gutsy enough to ask for help to come to the hospital was Susan, but she wasn't in the West district now.

At home, the only one willing to care for her was Haley, but Haley was in need of care himself, so that was out of the question.

She didn't want to worry him either.

"I could hire a nurse," Sophia spoke softly, looking at Brandon, "It's not that serious, just needs a few days to heal."

"What counts as serious? Missing an arm or a leg?"

Sophia didn't dare to continue the conversation.

Brandon fed her another spoonful, and only after she ate did his expression soften slightly.

"How did you get hurt?" Brandon asked.

"Just rotten luck, passing by when the sign decided to take a dive," Sophia said, a bit embarrassed. She was just out shopping, who'd have thought she'd win the unlucky lottery.

Imagining the scenario, Brandon smiled slightly. "Talk about a stroke of bad luck."

Sophia nodded in agreement, looking a bit down.

She was supposed to head back tomorrow, but this unfortunate incident meant rescheduling her flight.

"Why were you over there?" Brandon inquired.

"Haven't been back in two years, wanted to stroll through the old alleys, pick up some gifts and stuff."

Remembering her mentioning buying a ticket back to Wye City for tomorrow, Brandon paused and looked at her. "Are you leaving tomorrow?"

Sophia nodded gently. "I had the ticket, but now."

She glanced at the wound on her right arm. "Might have to wait a couple more days, let the wound heal a bit first."

Brandon nodded. "So you've really decided to give up?"

Sophia knew he was referring to the resort project and the offer to join Star·Dempsey Architects as the design director.

Sophia's mouth opened but she wasn't sure how to respond, still undecided.

But she definitely had to make a trip back to Wye City.

This trip was a rush, and she hadn't settled things there; her belongings and life were still there.

Brandon didn't push further, and the atmosphere, which was somewhat relaxed, grew heavy again.

Sophia also fell silent for a while before looking at him and asking, "Brandon, do you think we can still be friends?"

"We can't," Brandon replied, his tone calm and decisive, his eyes fixed on her.

Sophia forced a smile. "I don't think we can either."

Brandon just looked at her, saying nothing.

"Actually, you're right, I really like this project. I love the traditional Zenithan style, and I've always wanted to independently design a building in that style, but because of my lack of experience, I never got the chance, no one trusted me enough." Sophia said, looking at him, "Brandon, I'm really grateful for the opportunity you gave me."

"What happened?" Ivan on the phone was just as sharp, "Something wrong?"

"It's nothing." Sophia wasn't good at lying, "Just had a bit of an accident today, not really up for going out."

"What's the emergency? Serious?" Ivan's voice came through the phone with a hint of a frown, "Have you seen a doctor? Where are you at? I'll come find you."

"No need." Sophia quickly intervened, "Already saw a doc, it's all good."

"No worries, I actually needed to talk to you anyway. Shoot me your location."

Sophia hesitated and glanced at Brandon. "What's up?"

"We'll talk when I see you. Where you at?"

"I'm at the hospital right now, it's really not convenient." Sophia spoke softly, "Whatever it is, we can chat on WhatsApp."

But Ivan on the other end was already on the move. "You're still at the hospital? You got admitted?"

Sophia found it hard to fend off such a perceptive guy and gave a dry laugh, nodding, "Yeah."

"Which hospital?"

"You really don't have to come over, I'm fine here."

"Susan called me just this morning, said you're here all by yourself with no family or friends, asked me to look after you."

Sophia was speechless.

"Just rest for a bit, I'll give you a call when I get there." Ivan said and hung up, not insisting on getting the hospital address from her.

He didn't need to get it from her; getting it from Susan would suffice.

Sophia let out a sigh and turned to Brandon. "Maybe you should head back?"

Brandon looked back at her. "And then what, let him take care of you?"

Sophia didn't know what to say.