The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 254

"Yeah, he's really sweet on Theresa," Grace said, "And Theresa's pretty into him too, but his dad, the way he looks at people, sheesh."

Grace couldn't help but shake her head with disdain before she continued.

"Theresa was all excited at first, but it was only after his dad showed up that she started fussing to go home, wouldn't stay there no matter what. At the beginning, she was about to leave with Mr. Crawley, her eyes all teary and stuff, but when Mr. Crawley dropped us back, she wasn't clinging to him like before. She's just a kid, but she's got such a sensitive soul, you know?"

Sophia took a glance at Theresa in the room.

The little girl was asleep, her face peaceful and content, showing none of the hurt that was there when they first saw her.

But the hurt look she had earlier was like a thorn in Sophia's heart, pricking her from the inside.

Clearly, Theresa took after her with that extra sensitivity.

She might be too young to understand why, but just like Sophia, she was pretty sensitive to vibes.

When it was just her and Brandon, she looked up to Brandon as a father figure, thinking he was all hers, but when his family members come around, like Yvonne and Anna before, and Daniel this time, it gave her this sinking feeling that her daddy wasn't really hers, that she was left out of his world.

Her age didn't let her articulate these feelings, but her sadness and sense of loss said it all.

"Thanks, Grace."

As Sophia shifted her gaze away from Theresa, she quietly thanked Grace.

Grace, a bit embarrassed by the thanks, waved her hand dismissively and laughed, "What are you thanking me for? It's the least I could do."

Sophia just smiled and didn't say more.

In the dead of night, the bustling West district was slowly dozing off.

The river snaking through the city was lined with quiet, twinkling lights.

A gusty wind blew, causing the curtains on the balcony to flutter.

Brandon sat at the balcony bar, arms crossed over his chest, leaning back against the marble bar top, staring at the winding river view, his handsome face almost expressionless.

He remembered Theresa rummaging through his desk at noon, her confusion turning to delight upon seeing Sophia's design proposal.

He hadn't quite made out what she was saying then, the words of kids that age aren't too clear.

The urgency with which she wanted to grab the design proposal from Kent kept replaying in his mind.

Brandon first met Theresa in Wye City when she stumbled and fell at his feet, not crying but looking up at him with big, bewildered eyes.

It was in that restaurant that he had run into Sophia after a long time.

Now, half a world away, in another unexpected meeting, her neighborhood turned out to be the same as Sophia's.

Turning his gaze back from the river view, Brandon half-turned to glance at the liquor and glasses on the bar.

He picked up a glass, took the bottle, poured himself half a glass, raised it, watching the dark liquid sway slowly, but he didn't drink.

Kent, noticing Brandon fixated on the glass, couldn't help but call out to him, "Mr. Crawley?"

Brandon lazily looked up. "You haven't left yet?"

"Just finished up with work."

Kent stood up from the sofa and walked over to the bar, leaning on it before he couldn't resist glancing at Brandon. "You've seemed a bit off since this afternoon."

Brandon had been off ever since he brought Theresa back this afternoon.

He seemed distracted all afternoon, lost in thought, occasionally staring at Sophia's Zenithan-style resort design proposal on the desk.

Kent hadn't gotten a straight answer out of him.

Brandon didn't leave the office until eight in the evening.

Kent had some wrap-up work to confirm with Brandon, so he just followed him home.

At home, except for when they discussed work and Brandon was briefly engaged, he was just like now, zoning out, his expression flickering in the light.

But like in the afternoon, Brandon didn't seem to respond.

"Finish up and head home, get some rest."

Sophia snapped out of it and gave Don an awkward smile, "I'll go prep a bit."

"Good," Don nodded, "9:10 AM, third-floor conference room. Don't miss it."

After finishing up, Don looked towards Marian, "You should head down too."

Marian was so thrilled she snapped her fingers, "Sure thing."

Don also informed the newly arrived Ivan and Augus, among others.

Sophia steadied her nerves in the office, gathered her stuff, and then picked up the meeting documents from the desk to head out.

Ivan also leaned over to grab his documents, "I'll head down with you."

With that, he followed her out.

When the two reached the elevator, Don, Marian, Cindy, and the rest were also waiting.

"Over here," Don called out with a smile, "Perfect timing, let's go down together."

Sophia nodded, "Mhm."

Just then, with a "ding," the elevator doors opened.

Sophia instinctively glanced at the elevator and her eyes lingered for a moment when she saw Brandon inside, then awkwardly shifted her gaze away.

She remembered that ridiculous day and two nights.

Brandon gave her a look and calmly looked away.

Sophia also restrained herself from wandering eyes and followed the crowd into the elevator.

She naturally moved towards the opposite corner of the elevator, not planning on crowding anyone, but it seemed everyone else also silently agreed on that corner, carefully keeping their distance from the big boss, as if afraid of bumping into Brandon.

With everyone's unspoken agreement to yield space, Sophia suddenly found herself squeezed right next to Brandon.

Sophia was speechless.