The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 757

Sophia froze, looking up at him in a daze.

Brandon was still holding her hand—the same hand on which he’d just slipped the ring. He gently lifted her fingers, and the unique, elegant diamond glimmered under the light.

Something about the moment felt achingly familiar, making her heart pound even harder. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed at him.

Brandon’s thumb stroked the finger now adorned with the ring. His voice was soft, eyes fixed on her. “Last time, we skipped over dating altogether. I never even tried to win you over—we rushed into marriage, and you ended up paying the price for it. From now on, I want to make sure every step we take is what you want, the way you want it.”

Sophia’s throat tightened, her eyes turning red and glassy.

She didn’t say a word, just tried to play off the moment by wiggling her ring finger, teasing, “This isn’t your first time putting a ring on me, is it?”

Brandon shook his head. “The day you agreed to marry me, we picked out rings together at the mall during lunch. By afternoon, we’d already signed the papers. When we divorced, you took the ring off, left it with the house keys, and placed them on top of the divorce agreement.”

It had all happened so fast—he’d been afraid she’d change her mind. There was no time for a custom design; they’d simply bought rings on the spot and rushed to the courthouse.

“Do you still have that ring?” Sophia asked quietly.

Brandon nodded. “I do.”

“Then, do I… do I still have a chance to wear it again?” she whispered.

His throat closed up for a second, but he nodded. “Of course.”

He had kept that ring all along.

Countless sleepless nights, he’d stared at it, wondering if he’d ever get another chance to put it back on her finger.

It wasn’t just a ring—it was where their marriage began.

But more than anything, he wanted to put that ring on her again, at their wedding.

He owed her more than just a proper romance. He owed her a wedding.

Hearing his honest, earnest answer, Sophia couldn’t help but smile—just a little. But when she caught the intensity of his gaze, she grew shy and quickly looked away.

Brandon smiled too, brushing his thumb over her ring finger. “Last time, we had to buy the ring in a hurry. This one—I had it made just for you…”

“When did you have it made?” Sophia interrupted softly, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

“After the divorce, you went off to study in Wye City.” Brandon looked at her. “I went to find you there. The day I decided to go, I started having this ring made. I just never imagined…”

He shook his head with a rueful, almost helpless smile. He’d never imagined he’d keep it hidden away for so long.

Sophia grinned, sitting up a little, and whispered, “It’s alright. Now’s not too late.”

Then, meeting his eyes, she said, “I want this.”

Brandon met her gaze, his voice low and rough as he repeated the question: “Will you be my girlfriend?”

Sophia smiled and nodded. “Yes. I’d love to.”

Brandon’s answering smile was gentle and clear, like the first sunlight on a March morning. It dazzled her, made her heart skip.

“Mommy’s here, Theresa! Don’t be scared.”

Theresa’s anxiety eased a little as she heard their voices, but she kept banging on the door, struggling with the doorknob. “Why won’t it open…?”

Brandon grabbed another blanket and wrapped it around himself, heading for the door. “Grace, could you give us a minute?” he called out.

“Oh! Sure,” Grace replied, immediately heading off—though she tried to pull Theresa away with her, but the little girl wouldn’t budge, standing guard at the door.

Brandon cracked the door open. Before he could say anything, Theresa was already trying to wedge herself through the gap, calling, “Daddy, I’m looking for Mommy.”

He gently blocked her with his hand and his body, keeping her from squeezing through.

“Mommy’s still busy, sweetheart. Why don’t you wait in the living room for just a little while?” he said, his voice still rough and a little tense.

“What’s she busy with?” Theresa asked, confused, craning her neck to see around him, but Brandon shifted to block her view.

“Daddy, you’re in the way,” she protested, getting anxious. “I can’t see anything. It’s so dark in there.”

Brandon crouched to her level, hands on her small shoulders, voice gentle. “Mommy’s taking a nap, honey. Why don’t you go to the living room for a bit? She’ll be out soon, okay?”

Theresa hesitated, still uneasy about not seeing her mother, craning her neck in every direction—but wherever she looked, Brandon shifted to block her again.