The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 279

Brandon looked at her and said, "You did nothing wrong. Martin was the one who crossed the line, so you shouldn't feel guilty about it."

Sophia glanced at him and gave a small nod.

She felt no guilt. If given the chance again, she would reject him without a second thought.

After all, they were never close to begin with, and she wasn't about to bend over backwards for someone else's benefit.

Her sadness was only because it had to do with Yolanda, again.

Brandon caught the flicker of emotion in her eyes.

He leaned in a bit, looked her in the eye, and said deliberately, "Sophia, this was all Martin's doing. I had no clue. Don't pin his mess on me."

Sophia hesitated and looked at him, not saying a word.

Brandon simply watched her quietly.

"Sophia, I know who you are, and I know what I'm doing," he said, his voice calm and slow, "I won't deny that I've overlooked you in the past, and many times I've thought about letting you go, to live the life you've wanted. But from start to finish, all I ever wanted was you."

"No one else," he added, gazing at her earnestly.

Sophia's lips quivered slightly, her nose tingling a bit.

Brandon wasn't one for sweet nothings, and neither was she.

So hearing him say something like this, whether it was genuine or just to comfort her, moved her deeply.

The gloom that Martin had stirred up earlier was being chased away, bit by bit.

"Brandon, thank you," she said, looking at him and expressing her sincere gratitude.

Thankful that he was willing to spend his time and effort with her.

She had already learned how to cope with and process all the negative emotions, and she was doing just fine.

She was past the age of needing someone by her side.

Brandon gave a slight smile, "No problem."

Sophia smiled back.

The meal went down in a very harmonious fashion.

It seemed like going to the movies, something that's pretty standard for couples, was out of place for them.

Brandon saw the complexity in her eyes.

He stepped closer to her and said softly, "When I started taking over the company business in college, my grandfather was already in poor health. He didn't trust my dad with the company, so he pinned all his hopes and pressure on me.

"Despite his age, he was sharp. He wouldn't just hand over the company because I was his grandson. The company was responsible for the livelihoods of thousands, and he had to be sure of my capabilities before he could let go, so he set up one challenge after another for me.

"At that time, I had to juggle my studies while learning about the company's operations and meet every deadline he set for me. I was so swamped that watching movies was a luxury I couldn't afford.

"As I got used to the hustle, that kind of life became the norm for me, and I gradually forgot that there's more to life, like movies, vacations, and relaxation."

He looked into her eyes and continued, "Sophia, I've never been one to truly understand life's pleasures, which is why I failed to take care of your emotional needs during those two years. That was a failing on my part as a husband."

Sophia forced a half-smile, "It's not on you. It was my issue."

Brandon shook his head and then said, looking at her, "Sophia, I want to try experiencing the other side of life, too."

Sophia hesitated and looked at him, wanting to refuse, but the words wouldn't come out in the face of his calm and earnest gaze. In the end, she reluctantly nodded, "Well then, let's go watch a movie."