The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 634

Brandon got Sophia a full body work-up at the hospital.

After getting her blood drawn, they zipped her off for a brain CT to get the full scoop on her health.

Blood tests and all that jazz take a bit to come through, but the docs could take a peek at the CT scans pretty much right away.

Brandon made a beeline for the doctor's office to check out the results.

The scans showed some tiny high-density spots deep in her noggin. Considering she took a nasty tumble and hit her head from way up high, the doc figured they were probably some old blood clots that hadn't been fully reabsorbed yet, squeezing some important brain parts, which might be messing with her memory.

"Is it, like, life-threatening or anything?"

Brandon, with a deep frown etched on his face, peered at the brain CT image on the computer and grilled the doc.

"In theory, no," the doc said, eyeballing the scans. "Judging by these pictures, she should be past the hairiest part and on the mend. But those clots are still party crashers, so there's definitely some risk, no bones about it. Given her current shape and where the clots are squatting, brain surgery would be a bigger gamble. Better to play it by ear with some TLC and let her body do its thing."

The doc glanced at Brandon again: "Once she's up and at 'em, focus on getting her nutrition and immune system up to snuff."

Brandon nodded, but his brow stayed knotted.

He took another look at the scans on the screen and turned to the doc, "So, any chance her memory might make a comeback?"

The doc let out a long sigh: "Tough call. The brain's a tricky customer, loads of unknowns. Nobody's got the brass to guarantee it'll bounce back or be gone for good."

Brandon nodded, words weren't coming easy.

"Thanks, doc."

He muttered his thanks and left the office, shooting a glance down the long hallway before heading back to the room.

Sophia hadn't come to yet.

Still out like a light, peaceful as anything.

Compared to before the accident, she looked like she'd been through the wringer, pale as a ghost.

Brandon's gaze lingered on Sophia's face for an age before he plopped down by the bed, his hand shaking as he reached for her face.

His fingertips met warm, real skin.

A lump formed in Brandon's throat.

He leaned in a smidge and gently wrapped his arms around her, feeling her warmth.

He was careful not to squeeze too tight, scared he might hurt her.

But Sophia woke up anyway.

Just as he was brushing her bangs away from her forehead with a gentle finger, her eyes fluttered open.

Their eyes locked.

"They're not here at the hospital," Brandon said.

Sophia hesitated, then nodded: "Okay."

But she still seemed on edge.

"I..." she started to say something, then clammed up, like she was fishing for the right words.

Brandon looked at her: "Yeah?"

"Could I ask what we were to each other before all this?" Sophia asked him softly.

Brandon met her gaze: "We're husband and wife."

She forced a smile: "I just... don't feel like we're a couple, you know?"

Brandon stayed quiet, no comeback.

Sophia twiddled her fingers nervously, looking at him: "Is there any chance, Mr. Crawley, that you've got the wrong person?"