The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 745

Sophia pressed her lips together, unsure how to answer his question.

“I don’t know,” she said softly. “Like I told you before, all my feelings for you were built on the idea that we were married. Anything else…I’ve honestly never thought about it.”

It was as honest an answer as she could give.

Brandon just smiled, saying nothing more.

He remembered the day he discovered that Sophia—the designer Don had so highly recommended—was actually her. She’d pretended not to know him, and he’d swallowed his anger, playing along. But in the end, it was her unwavering decision to leave the company and the project that broke his resolve first.

She’d been on the verge of breaking down, knowing she’d have to give up the career she loved just to be free of him. And he’d been furious, stung by how desperately she wanted nothing to do with him.

During that tug-of-war, she had once asked if there was someone he liked. He hadn’t answered her directly, but when she later pressed, “Does it matter who you marry?” he’d replied, “No,” out of spite more than honesty, failing to see what she truly meant to him.

Looking back, it was clear—her resolve after that was inextricably linked to his own coldness.

He’d brought this on himself.

Now, looking at Sophia’s apologetic expression, Brandon couldn’t help but shake his head and let out a bitter laugh.

“It’s alright.” He managed a gentle smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

He thought back to that day, their confrontation, and felt a stab of regret. How he wished he’d told her clearly—then and there—that he loved her.

Back then, she must have been desperate to hear him say he liked her, that he loved her. But she’d never had the chance to hear it—not once.

If she never recovered her memories, she’d go her whole life never knowing he loved her.

The ache in his chest returned, sharp and unrelenting.

Brandon pressed a hand to his heart, almost without thinking.

“What’s wrong?” Sophia looked over at him, concern in her eyes.

“I’m fine.” Brandon forced another smile. “Just remembering some old times with you. I feel like I owe you so much.”

Sophia gave him a small, reassuring smile. “It’s okay. It’s all in the past.”

Brandon smiled too, but didn’t reply.

He knew she wouldn’t hold it against him—she’d always been gentle and kind, never wanting to see him in pain or distress.

But what he really longed for was to hear her, with all her memories restored, tell him, “It’s okay. It’s all over now.”

He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get that chance.

He gazed at her graceful profile, the ache in his chest still lingering. He said nothing more, just reached out to ruffle her hair with affection, his voice low: “I’ve got a business meeting this afternoon. I’ll drive you home first, okay? You can stay with Theresa today.”

Sophia nodded. “Alright.”

Brandon drove her home.

Theresa and Grace were both there when they arrived.

The moment Sophia and Brandon walked in, Theresa ran toward them, calling out, “Mommy, Daddy!” before flinging herself into Brandon’s arms.

He bent down and scooped her up, holding her close.

“Daddy, where are we going today?” Theresa asked, already used to going out with her parents every day.

Brandon hesitated for a split second, and Sophia, catching the pause, gave Theresa an apologetic look. “Daddy has something to do today, sweetheart. You and I will stay home, okay?”

Theresa’s face fell, but she nodded obediently. “Okay.”

Brandon pressed a kiss to her cheek. “That’s my good girl.”

He set her down and turned to Sophia. “You keep Theresa company. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done.”

Sophia nodded. “Alright.”

He turned to Grace. “Grace, I’m leaving Sophia and Theresa in your hands. If anything comes up, just give me a call.”

Grace nodded. “Of course, Mr. Crawley.”

Just as Brandon was about to say more, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, frowning slightly. After a quick goodbye to Sophia and Theresa, he hurried out the door, not even bothering to grab the folder he’d left on the coffee table.

Grace watched the door swing shut and joked, “Looks like Mr. Crawley finally trusts you not to disappear—he’s brave enough to leave you home alone now.”

With that, Sophia was reminded—it was the first time since she’d come back that Brandon hadn’t been glued to her side.

When he still believed they were married, he’d barely left her alone for a minute, even putting clients on hold.

Now…

Sophia knew she shouldn’t be overthinking it, but she couldn’t help feeling a faint sense of loss, now that there was such a clear change.

Grace glanced over and saw Sophia looking a little out of it, staring at the door. She didn’t know the details, but she sensed she might have said something she shouldn’t have. Awkwardly, she tried to smooth things over, “Probably just something urgent at work.”

Sophia collected herself and smiled. “I know.”

She turned away and crouched down beside Theresa, who still looked a little dejected, and tried to comfort her. “Daddy’s just got to work, honey.”

“But you said when Mommy came back, Daddy wouldn’t have to work anymore,” Theresa mumbled, still downcast. “And when Daddy does go to work, he always takes us with him to the office.”

“Well, sometimes Daddy has to meet people outside the office, and it’s not so easy to bring you along,” Sophia explained, searching for an example. “Remember when we went to the movies, and then Mommy and Daddy had to meet with the principal? We had to leave you with your godparents, right?”

“But you took me to the mall that day,” Theresa argued. “We could wait for Daddy outside, couldn’t we?”

Sophia was stumped.

“Well…” She thought for a moment, gently running her hand over Theresa’s hair. “That day, you had to wait a long time, didn’t you? Daddy just doesn’t want you and Mommy waiting around for him for so long.”

The little girl’s eyes brightened. “Oh, that’s true!”

Clearly, Sophia’s explanation had worked. Theresa grabbed her hand, full of new enthusiasm. “Mommy, let’s go find Daddy and wait for him outside, okay?”

Sophia: …

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Grace went to answer it.

“Susan?” Grace sounded surprised. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

Sophia looked toward the door.

Susan stood there, looking a bit startled by the question. “Uh, I’m off today… Yeah, day off.” She gave an awkward laugh.

“Huh?” Sophia looked at her, confused by what she meant by “old self.”

Susan took her confusion as confirmation and got even angrier. “Men! They’re all the same—can’t trust a word they say.”

Sophia saw the outrage on Susan’s face and realized she wasn’t just mad at Brandon.

She glanced at Susan, and as she looked away, she noticed a red mark at the base of Susan’s neck.

Susan caught her looking. “What is it?”

“You and Kent…” Sophia asked delicately, “Everything alright?”

“Why are you bringing him up?” Susan looked even more puzzled. “Nothing’s going on. We’re not close.”

“Really…” Sophia murmured, absentmindedly touching her own neck in the same place, then cleared her throat. “You’ve got something on your neck.”

Susan froze, then quickly covered the mark with her hand.

“I…um…I just bumped into something,” she stammered, embarrassed and flustered.

Theresa, curious about Susan’s sudden movement, stood on tiptoe. “What is it? I want to see!”

Susan: …

But even tiptoeing, Theresa couldn’t see, so she tugged at Sophia’s hand. “Mommy, pick me up!”

Sophia had no choice but to lift her.

At eye level, Theresa craned her neck to see where Susan’s hand was, babbling, “Where is it? Let me see!”

Susan gave her a patient look. “Sweetie, sometimes it’s better not to be so curious, okay?”

Theresa looked confused but nodded.

Sophia turned back to Susan. “You weren’t with Kent last night, were you?”

Susan’s cheeks went bright red as she ducked behind her hair, torn between denying and staying silent.

Sophia, sensing her discomfort, didn’t push, but she couldn’t help but remind her gently, “If you’re not ready for this, don’t rush into things, okay?”

“I know,” Susan mumbled, still awkward. “I’m busy with work right now, not looking for a baby. I took care of it.”

Sophia frowned. “Why is it always you who has to be careful? Doesn’t he take any responsibility?”

Susan’s face was scarlet.

Theresa, not understanding the adult conversation, just pointed out, “Godmom, your face is really red!”

“It’s just hot,” Susan sighed, then glanced at Sophia, who was still frowning with concern. She awkwardly added, “It was an accident. We didn’t have…uh…protection.”

Sophia: …

Susan quickly changed the subject. “Enough about me. What about you? Did you two talk last night? How did it go? Did you fight? Why is Brandon acting like a totally different person now?”

For a moment, Sophia’s gaze clouded, but when she looked up at Susan again, she was calm.

“We talked,” she said softly, her voice gentle as always. “We said everything that needed to be said. We didn’t fight, and I’m not angry at him for hiding the truth. In fact, I’m grateful he did.”

“But Brandon…” Susan frowned, still worried. Brandon’s sudden shift—leaving Sophia at home alone the day after she learned the truth, after being so inseparable—was too much of a change to ignore.