The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Chapter 64

Sophia got jolted awake by her phone’s alarm.

She had a class later at 4 PM and had set the alarm on purpose.

Waking up, she didn’t spot Brandon in the room, but saw the note he stuck on the door. It read in bold black marker.

“Got a thing at the office, just next door. Call me when you wake up.”

Sophia reached out and ripped the note off the door.

Brandon’s handwriting was on point, as pleasing to the eye as printed text.

Back in their school days, Sophia was always wowed by Brandon’s penmanship – a blend of envy and admiration for that effortless elegance and strength that she just couldn’t mimic.

Some folks just ace it in every little detail.

It had been a hot minute since Sophia last saw Brandon’s writing, and it was still a sight for sore eyes.

She spaced out for a sec, staring at the words on the note, then tucked it away and scanned the room The note had the time on it; he’d been out for over an hour, probably something urgent.

no sign of Brandon.

When she was home, Brandon rarely went out, and when he did, it wasn’t usually for more than an hour. He wouldn’t leave her

–

a pregnant lady – alone at home.

On that front, Brandon was miles ahead of many other guys.

Sophia hadn’t mentioned her afternoon class to Brandon. Lately, she’d been super sleepy, dozing off after lunch without getting the chance to tell him.

She glanced around the room, still no Brandon. Guess he hadn’t come back yet, and who knew if he was tied up with something. Knowing Brandon liked his peace when working, she didn’t call, instinctively thinking to hit him up on WhatsApp. Only when she pulled out her phone did she remember she’d deleted him from WhatsApp after their divorce, never expecting any future run-ins. But now. After a moment’s thought, she flipped his note over and scribbled on the back. “Got class this afternoon, heading to school. You do your thing, no worries about me.”

Then she stuck the note on his bedroom door, quickly got her stuff together, and headed out.

The Starlight Hotel was huge, tons of rooms on each floor, and Brandon had gone for the quietest, least disturbing corner suite. From her room to the elevator was a bit of a trek.

Sophia had time to spare and didn’t want to rush with a baby on board, so she just moseyed along to the elevator. Hardly anyone else around maybe it was the off-season. She reached the elevator and mindlessly stretched out to press the button when the doors swung open. She stepped in without a glance, not expecting to nearly bump into someone coming out.

Sophia was petite, the other person much taller and bigger. She sidestepped just in time but still stumbled, saved by a strong hand that caught her arm.

“Sorry!” came the man’s deep, apologetic voice.

“My bad,” Sophia said, flushing with embarrassment, and looked up to lock eyes with Martin. It was that same dazed feeling she got the other day seeing Marian’s bracelet.

Martin seemed taken aback too, his eyes resting on her face, both of them lost in a moment of blank confusion.

Brandon stepped out of the neighboring elevator just in time to see the two, Martin’s hand still unwittingly on Sophia’s arm, sporting that same dazed look, though their features weren’t all that similar.

both

Brandon’s gaze drifted down to Martin’s hand on Sophia’s arm and he cleared his throat subtly.

Sophia and Martin snapped out of it, instinctively turning to Brandon.

Sophia, belatedly realizing Martin still held her arm, instinctively tried to pull away.

Martin finally caught on and let go. “Sorry.”

Sophia gave a sheepish smile. “No, I should apologize. I wasn’t looking.”

Her gentle smile seemed to daze Martin again, his eyes helplessly drawn to her face, lost once more.

Brandon watched Martin’s expression, unnoticed.

An untimely female voice cut in from behind. “Excuse me, need the elevator, in a rush here.”

Brandon turned to see Marian, all hustle and bustle heading their way. He instinctively pulled Sophia aside as Marian nearly brushed

past her.

Standing firm, Sophia finally got a glimpse of Marian, clutching her books in a hurry.

She remembered Marian telling Brandon they were both in the presidential suite at the Starlight Hotel.

The hotel’s top-tier suites were mostly on the top floor, and like Sophia, Marian was a School of Architecture student rushing to an afternoon lecture. Bumping into each other here wasn’t all that weird. Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.

Funny how they hadn’t crossed paths until today.

Reaching the elevator, Marian noticed Sophia, surprised. “Sophia? You rushing back for class too? Perfect, let’s go together. I’ve got a cab waiting downstairs.”

As she reached out to Sophia with the emerald bracelet-clad hand, the bracelet slipped slightly down her wrist. Martin caught it just in time, his expression darkening as he grabbed her wrist and demanded, “Where’d you get this bracelet?”

Brandon, silently facepalming, was still a step too late.