The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 651

Don's reaction threw Sophia for a loop. Just as she was about to say something, Don suddenly stepped forward and wrapped her in a big bear hug.

"Welcome home!"

Don got all choked up as he spoke.

"Thank you."

Even though she still had no clue what his name was, Sophia couldn't help but be moved by his emotions and expressed her gratitude.

Don didn't say much more, just silently gave her shoulder a reassuring pat before turning and giving Brandon a hug, slapping him heartily on the back.

"Congrats!"

A thousand words boiled down to a single, hoarse "Congrats."

Brandon also returned the shoulder slap: "Thanks."

Don slapped him back once more before finally letting go.

Kent came in right on cue to make introductions: "This is Don, Mr. Dempsey's brother from another mother for over twenty years, and... your boss."

"..." Sophia shot him a surprised glance, and when she looked back at Don, her gaze carried an extra dose of respect for her boss, "Hello."

Don: "..."

His inquisitive gaze shifted towards Kent and Brandon.

"Ms. Yearwood took a knock to the noggin and forgot all about her past and people." Kent patiently explained on Sophia's behalf.

Hearing this explanation one too many times, Sophia couldn't help but feel a twang of guilt.

Fortunately, Don just blinked in slight surprise and quickly smiled, saying, "No worries, what matters is you're back."

He couldn't help but look at Sophia again, his gaze drifting from her somewhat unfamiliar and apologetic eyes to the white jade she still held unconsciously, his eyes a tad moist, full of relief.

Brandon noticed his look too and glanced at the white jade in Sophia's grasp, then slowly up at her face, his throat tightening with emotion.

Only then did Sophia belatedly remember she was still holding the necklace that Brandon had put on her, and she let go of it a bit awkwardly.

"This necklace... it's pretty nice," she said, trying to break the ice.

"Mhm."

Brandon just hummed in agreement, his voice husky, his eyes lingering on her face as if he couldn't get enough.

Kent quickly herded the rest of the crew into the living room, sensing the mood.

Sophia, still not used to the flirtatious atmosphere, took the hint from Kent and followed the crowd to the living room.

Brandon didn't seem to mind and walked out with them.

With Sophia's return, everyone was over the moon, chattering away and bustling about preparing the welcome back shindig, all busy and festive.

Back in the room, Susan couldn't help but express her feelings.

Sophia couldn't help but look at her, "What was he like before?"

"A bit of an ice man, a workaholic," Susan described.

Sophia had a feeling that sounded about right.

"Are we... really husband and wife?"

Sophia thought it over, then asked the question she had already asked Brandon.

He had said yes.

Sophia didn't doubt Brandon's word; she just couldn't understand why, if they were husband and wife, they felt so distant.

Susan seemed a bit surprised by the question and turned to look at her, "Did he tell you that?"

A flicker of unease crossed Sophia's heart, "Didn't he?"

"It's not that simple," Susan said, unsure how to answer, "I think you should probably ask Brandon directly about this."

Sophia nodded, not dwelling on it further.

"So, what was our relationship like before?" Sophia asked.