The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 176

Brandon had a poker face, didn't say a word, didn't even glance back at Sophia, but his grip on her wrist was tight, showing no signs of letting go.

Marian threw a puzzled look at Brandon and then turned to Sophia.

Sophia’s expression was equally calm.

Marian noticed a slight twitch in Sophia’s wrist as if she wanted to pull away, but then she stopped.

Sophia didn't want to become the center of attention.

She chose to compromise, turned around, and gave an awkward smile to the onlookers, then sat down where she was.

Finally, Brandon’s grip on her wrist loosened.

The two hadn't exchanged a single word throughout, but the undercurrents between them made everyone exchange glances, kind of clueless about what was going on, but the air was thick with gossip.

Don gave Brandon and Sophia a thoughtful look.

Sophia remained indifferent, lost in her thoughts as she stared at the bonfire.

The coolness on Brandon’s handsome face didn’t fade away.

He was silent, but his aura of gloom spread, scattering the previously lively atmosphere.

The volume of everyone's conversations dropped unconsciously.

Don approached with a smile, patting Brandon on the shoulder, "What brings you here, man?"

While speaking, Don sat down next to Brandon, trying to break the ice.

Marian leaned back, looking over Sophia at Brandon, "Yeah, aren't you supposed to be Mr. Busy? Surprised to see you at something like this."

Feeling awkward being sandwiched between the two, Sophia shifted toward the fire, giving them some space.

Brandon glanced at her, then turned to Marian, "What are you doing here?"

Marian pointed at Don, "He invited me."

Brandon’s gaze shifted to Don, calm yet icy, sending a chill down Don’s spine.

"A party like this needs a crowd to get buzzing, so I called some extra folks," Don quickly explained, "No harm meant, don't overthink it."

"Did I ask you anything? Why the panic?" Brandon's voice was calm.

Don was caught off guard.

Serious Brandon was a bit too much for him, and he couldn't help but remember the two beatings he got from Brandon when they were kids.

The first was when they were young and foolish. He teased Yolanda for sticking to Brandon, saying they'd end up married, which left Yolanda red-eyed with embarrassment and earned him a beating from Brandon.

The second time was when he deliberately annoyed Yolanda, took the bracelet Brandon gave her, and held it out of reach, which resulted in the chain breaking and Yolanda, in tears, and another thrashing for Don.

Back then, he sought Yolanda's eyes for help subconsciously, and it was also Yolanda who calmed Brandon down.

Whether it was Brandon's intimidating gaze now or the deep-seated memory of those beatings, Don instinctively sought Sophia's gaze for help with a look of total desperation.

Now was no exception.

After a deep breath, he managed to look at Sophia calmly.

"Congratulations," he finally spoke to her, the first words he'd said to her that night.

"Thank you," Sophia responded with her usual polite courtesy.

Those simple words easily stirred the violent urge Brandon had just suppressed.

It was always like this. Their conversations never escaped the bounds of politeness, dull and uninteresting.

Yet it wasn't like this during their senior year of high school.

Brandon suppressed the raging within him again, and he had no desire to become the talk of the town.

"I've been thinking a lot about our senior year lately," Brandon said nonchalantly, "I remember we weren't like this back then."

His words made Sophia pause, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Is that so?" she responded softly, "It's been so long and I don't remember."

Brandon glanced at her, the corners of his mouth curling in a seemingly mocking smirk, "Is there anything you do remember?"

She didn't remember childhood, she didn't remember high school either.