The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 344

Theresa seemed to be totally into this fresh nickname and the cozy vibes it came with, she just couldn't help herself but to crank up the volume and holler, “Daddy.”

Still with that super careful and dead serious tone.

Brandon snuggled his cheek even closer to hers, gently caressed her hair, and grunted back in a raspy voice, “Hmm.”

Theresa, getting that sweet response, was over the moon and coos again, “Daddy.”

“Hmm.”

“Daddy,” Theresa called out once more.

“Hmm.”

“Daddy.”

With each call, Theresa's voice got crisper, her excitement grew, and her sweetness just overflew. She couldn't hide the surprise and joy splashed all over her cute little face.

Sophia watched Theresa like this, her emotions doing somersaults.

On one hand, as a mom, she was touched by Theresa’s warm embrace of her dad and shares in her happiness.

It was like Theresa’s joy was all that matters, everything else faded away.

But beneath that wave of emotion, there was also her perspective as her own person.

Now that Theresa knew about her dad, had accepted him, liked him, and relished life with him around, it meaned she and Brandon were forever intertwined.

Every decision and thought she would have about Brandon from now on would have to put Theresa’s feelings first, then hers.

That also meaned from here on out, she was just a mom, and nothing more.

That harsh truth kinda stung for Sophia.

Brandon turned around and spotted that complex look in Sophia’s eyes, a mix of relief and sorrow, her eyes slightly damp and her expression a bit spaced out.

Maybe sensing his gaze, her unfocused eyes slowly met his, coming back into sharpness.

She forced a smile his way, without saying a word.

Brandon flashed a smile back.

The family of three stepped into the elevator together, heading back to Sophia's place on the eighteenth floor.

The keys Sophia used to open the door weren’t the same ones Brandon nabbed that day on the fifteenth floor.

Noticing the unfamiliar set of keys in her palm, Brandon’s gaze lingered for a moment.

“There’s a different set for home and the studio,” Sophia said softly, unlocking the door.

She was aware that Brandon left the house that day, even took the keys – there was a security cam by the door.

“To keep me out?” Brandon asked, his voice calm.

Sophia hesitated for a sec, then gave a slight nod.

“You’re too perceptive,” she murmured.

“Can't hold a candle to you,” Brandon said, pushing the door open.

Sophia didn't bite.

No matter how well she planned, life was always one step ahead.

Just half an hour, that was all it was.

“How did you figure out I left?”

Sophia asked him softly, mirroring his calm tone, so neutral it was like they were chatting about the weather.

To avoid rousing Brandon’s suspicions, she left without even grabbing her bag.

She hadn't forgotten the sight of her mom crying when her dad had picked her up not so long ago.

Her innocent kid talk seriously choked up Sophia, but it also nudged her about her emotional breakdown at the airport. She was touched but also felt a slight cringe creeping up.

Without a word, Sophia just reached out and gently stroked her head.

Brandon watched and gave a soft nod.

"I know," he said, his voice soothing and sincere.

With daddy's promise in her pocket, Theresa was over the moon and just snuggled right into Brandon's arms. She couldn't help but turn and flash a grin at Sophia.

Sophia couldn't help but crack a smile back, noticing Theresa's eyelids were already putting up a fight – it was usually nap time by now. So, she reached out her hand, "Mommy's gonna take you for a nap."

"I got this."

Brandon said, scooping her up to head for the room Grace had shown them last time. But just as they reached the doorway, Theresa quickly pointed towards the room she shared with Sophia, "I wanna sleep with mommy."

Brandon looked at Sophia for a cue.

And Sophia, suddenly at a loss for words.

Theresa's curiosity bubbled over, "Daddy, are you gonna sleep here with me and mommy tonight, too?"

This was the second time she'd asked today.

"Theresa, Daddy's got work tonight, so he can't sleep here," Sophia blurted, her heart skipping a beat before she quickly corrected herself.

Theresa looked a bit bummed as she turned towards Brandon.

Brandon gave her a reassuring smile, "We'll move downstairs tonight, just across from mommy's office."

Sophia shot him a surprised look.

Theresa's excitement was barely contained as she whispered, "You'll be there too?"