The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 289

Brandon was walking Theresa home from the park.

On the way back, the little girl, who was already a bit sleepy, perked up and became super lively in the car.

Peeking through the rearview mirror, Brandon could see the excitement twinkling in her eyes. Her big, clear eyes would occasionally dart his way, mixed with a hint of shyness.

He remembered the last time he drove her home from the company, she seemed a bit evasive and dodgy around him.

That was because Daniel had popped by unexpectedly, and in the heat of the moment, he didn't consider her feelings. He was only thinking about getting Yvonne to whisk her away from the drama so she wouldn't witness the grown-ups' spat. He forgot to explain things to her in advance, so the poor kid probably thought he was giving her the boot, which left her down in the dumps and fussing to go home.

Brandon ended up taking Theresa home himself, and throughout the ride, she totally ditched her usual clinginess to him. When she got out of the car, she seemed a bit dodgy and sulky.

But now, watching the little munchkin, it was as if she had completely erased the previous upset from her memory, her face lit up with surprise and excitement. It made you wonder whether kids just have short memories or what.

"Theresa, are you still mad at me?" Brandon asked softly, looking at the well-behaved little girl in the backseat.

Theresa shook her head right away. "Not mad."

Then, a bit puzzled, she asked him, "Where did you go? I haven't seen you for so long."

"I went to work," Brandon replied, his heart warmed by her childlike words, softening his voice as he asked her, "Did you miss me during all this time?"

Theresa nodded earnestly. "Missed."

Her eyes caught sight of the mall outside the window, and she remembered the last time they went to the claw machine with Brandon, adding, "Want to go with you to play the claw machine."

Brandon glanced out the window too. "Do you want to play the claw machine again?"

Theresa's head bobbed like a pecking chicken. "Yes."

Grace quickly tried to reason with her. "Aren't you sleepy? Let's go home and sleep, and another day we can go with him to play, okay?"

She then apologetically said to Brandon, "Mr. Crawley, I'm sorry, she usually goes to bed by eight."

Brandon nodded understandingly. "Mhm."

Then he said to Theresa, "I will take you home to sleep now, and another day when I'm free, we can go play, okay?"

Theresa's mouth turned down unhappily, and her little hands twisted together in disappointment. "But I want to go with you now."

Seeing her fiddling hands in the rearview mirror, Brandon paused for a moment, then turned to look at her.

"Alright, we'll go to the claw machine, but we can only play for half an hour. After that, you should go home to sleep, okay?" he coaxed in a gentle voice.

Theresa instantly nodded with joy. "Okay."

Brandon still sought Grace's opinion. "Grace, the kiddo seems pretty wired right now, I'll take her to play for half an hour."

Brandon didn't ask her to walk on her own either, carrying her all the way to the first floor where the claw machines were before setting her down.

Just like last time, he exchanged some coins, let her play on her own first, and then joined her.

Theresa's solo play didn't seem that thrilling, but when he helped her guide the joystick, her face lit up, her eyes shining as she watched the claw pick up a plush toy, breathing nervously and mumbling.

"Here, there, got it, lost it, it's falling, it's gonna fall, ah... oh, it didn't fall, you are so cool!"

She clapped her hands in excitement, not forgetting to look back at Brandon.

Brandon was also caught up in her mood, laughed, and patted her head, then looked at the toy that had fallen into the basket.

Theresa was already thrilled, peering into the basket through the glass, eager to get a good look at her prize, her little face beaming with joy and surprise.

Brandon squatted behind her. The height difference was so big, he had to crouch down to be on her level.

Watching her happy little face, he said nothing, just quietly observed her profile, so well-behaved and peaceful.

For some reason, he thought of Sophia again.

He thought back to the strange feeling in his heart when he first met Theresa in Wye City, remembered the familiar silhouette he saw when he lifted the curtain in that restaurant, recalled Theresa's last visit to his office when she was eager to get Sophia's design draft.

His gaze slowly shifted to the little braids tied up on Theresa's head.