The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 475

"Something up?" Brandon asked, his voice sounding worn out.

"I'm getting discharged tomorrow." Daniel announced, his authoritative family patriarch vibe coming back as if on cue now that he was back in fighting form, "Make some time to pick me up."

But this time, Brandon didn't snap back at him or calmly make arrangements like he used to. He just hummed a vague acknowledgment, his exhaustion seeming to deepen, his whole demeanor listless and flat.

Daniel was taken aback, "What's up with you? You sound beat."

Brandon didn't respond, and just let his gaze wander out the window, staring into the vast night.

"Brandon?" Daniel called out, a bit unsure now, a sense of panic creeping up on him for no good reason.

He'd watched Brandon grow up and had never seen him like this.

Brandon was always composed and reliable, the kind of guy who made one feel like even if the sky fell, he'd be there to catch it.

In his mind, his son was always bursting with energy, always cool as a cucumber, always invincible.

It was like he never got tired, never wore out, and never let anything or anyone get to him. Always on top of things, his mood as stable as a rock, not like the average Joe.

So in his fixed view, Daniel never worried about Brandon. In fact, when stuff hit the fan, his first instinct was to go to him.

Brandon was like a guardian deity to everyone around him.

Deities didn't have emotions or needs that he has to consider. These thoughts flickered through Daniel's mind, but the other end of the phone remained silent.

"Brandon?" He raised his voice just a notch, careful not to sound too harsh.

He would have preferred Brandon to be like he was in the office, fiercely warning him not to do this or that, rather than seeing him so drained and lifeless now.

Yeah, lifeless. Daniel felt that was the right word. Brandon seemed utterly devoid of life tonight.

And when that word, which should never apply to Brandon, suddenly did, Daniel felt a bit lost.

"Brandon," he tried to soften his tone, trying to coax him, "something's up, isn't it? If something's bothering you, just talk to us. Don't shoulder it all alone."

Brandon's eyes, fixed on the night, flickered. He glanced down at the phone that showed Daniel's call.

He couldn't recall a time when Daniel had ever spoken to him with such guarded care and concern, not even when he was a kid.

Their family's way was to be tough as nails and strong as steel. Showing vulnerability was not an emotion they allowed. So this kind of care and concern was something Daniel never showed.

Daniel always spoke from a high ground, criticizing him, making demands, making plans for him. Even though Daniel had no real power in the family, his insistence on a father's authority was unshakable.

"Brandon?" Daniel's voice became even softer and more worried at the lack of response.

Brandon didn't answer; he just let his fingers absently stroke the edge of the phone, his expression thoughtful.

Turned out, Daniel was able to worry his feelings.

"Brandon?"

Even his question had a hint of asking rather than telling. This was not how Daniel used to operate. He only ever informed and demanded.

Maybe his recent brush with death had given him some perspective, or perhaps Brandon's state when he picked up the phone had sparked some rare paternal feelings. He didn't press the issue, just followed Daniel's lead and addressed his concern in a lifeless tone, "I'll pick you up tomorrow. Gotta hang up now."

With that, he ended the call.

Listening to the busy line, Daniel turned to Yvonne, still worried, "Maybe you should go check on your brother after all."

Yvonne couldn't get a read on what Brandon was like on the other end of the phone, but Daniel's reaction was off the charts.

As Daniel's daughter, she hardly ever saw him go soft and show concern for anyone. The man was a strict dad through and through.

Broke or not, without a dime to his name or any clout, that didn't stop him from playing the tough father figure in their lives.

Living half a lifetime under the thumb of a domineering dad, Daniel, as a father himself, was super keen on keeping his patriarchal status at home in check.

"What is going on with Brandon?" Yvonne couldn't help but worry as she pressed him for answers.

"Your brother's not in the right state." Daniel said, "He's lost his spark."

The gears in Yvonne's head, usually filled with thoughts of love and marriage, immediately turned to Sophia, "Could it be something with my sister-in-law? Is Sophia leaving, and now Brandon's heartbroken, feeling like there's nothing left to live for?"

"No way!" Daniel shot her down without a second thought, "What's so special about that woman that your brother would be beside himself over her. And don't think your brother is like you, always with nothing but romance on the brain."