The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 271

Susan was stunned.

"Did Brandon make the first move?" she asked, incredulously, "That guy, who's all about work and has no desire for anything else, who's so disciplined and proper, he actually took the initiative with a woman who's neither his girlfriend nor his wife?"

Sophia gave her a look that said a thousand words, "Don't forget why we got married in the first place. There was no connection then either."

"So," Susan turned to her, "If you're not special to him, how could such a controlled and disciplined guy lose it? I mean, we were classmates, right? I'm not bad looking, right? I was at that party that night too, wasn't I? How come he didn't offer to take me home or pop by my place for a bit?" Susan pressed on, "With Brandon's prospects, he's got plenty of women throwing themselves at him. Not to mention, stunners like Hannah can make most men go weak at the knees, right? How come he never lost control with Hannah?"

Sophia glanced at her, her lips pursed in hesitation, then finally said, "Do you know why Brandon took special care of me during our senior year of high school?"

"Because you two were desk-mates?"

That was the only reason Susan could think of.

Sophia naturally had the girl-next-door look that inspired a protective instinct, with a pure and obedient aura, soft-spoken and non-confrontational.

So, at that time, not only Brandon wanted to protect her. There were plenty of guys. But since she was close with Brandon, everyone just thought about it and didn't dare show it too obviously.

They were somewhat intimidated by Brandon.

It wasn't that Brandon was particularly domineering or difficult to get along with in class; it was more of an admiration for his strength that held them back.

Sophia shook her head slightly, "No, it's not that."

Susan was puzzled, "Then why?"

"Because I look like someone," Sophia said softly, "Someone very important to him, to whom he always felt he owed a debt. So he compensated for what he owed her by taking care of me, someone who resembled her."

Susan was left speechless.

Sophia had never mentioned these things to her.

Even when they talked about divorce, she just said they were incompatible.

They were, after all, Brandon's parents. No matter how much she tried to limit contact with them, it was unavoidable.

When she was alone, she didn't care if they looked down on her, but she didn't want Theresa to face a situation where her grandparents looked down on her mother. It would make her sad and disheartened, and it might even warp her world view.

Sophia hoped Theresa would grow up in a peaceful, loving environment with the right values, not one filled with class prejudice like the Crawley family.

"So you guys still..." Susan couldn't help but say.

Sophia felt a bit awkward and didn't continue.

Maybe at that time, Brandon seemed more like a normal person, with the warmth and emotions of a normal person, rather than the usual untouchable distance. So when Brandon showed her just a bit of normal human warmth, her reason and self-control crumbled uncontrollably.

Brandon's influence on her was deeper than she had thought.

She didn't regret coming back. The resort project was her passion and opportunity, and even if she could do it all over again, she wouldn't choose to give up her future just to avoid Brandon.