The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 156

Sophia, still waiting for the elevator, had slightly closed her eyes, fighting off the dizziness the booze was causing.

The dude still hugging his girlfriend was checking Sophia out with a sleazy look in his eyes, his gaze dropping from her flushed face to her gently heaving chest.

She was dressed all business-like today, in a long-sleeve white chiffon blouse, paired with a light khaki ankle-length skirt, and her brown curls draped over her shoulders, professional with a touch of softness.

Sophia definitely caught the skeevy vibe coming from the guy's stare.

She opened her eyes and gave him an icy glance, subtly turning her body to block his view of her chest, her grip on the phone in her hand tightening just a bit.

Brandon noticed her fingers hovering over her phone, not really about to call the cops, but keeping her options open.

He was right there, for crying out loud.

Brandon looked away, squashing the surge of anger bubbling up inside him, then turned back and strode over to her, grabbing her hand as soon as he reached her, shooting a cold look at the elevator-waiting creep.

Intimidated by the chill in his eyes, the guy unconsciously tightened his grip on his girl and found an excuse to skedaddle.

Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Brandon, holding Sophia's hand a bit too forcefully, ushered her inside and pressed the button for the fifteenth floor.

Sophia silently watched him, not saying a word.

Her hand, firmly held, tried to squirm free, but at the slightest movement, Brandon's grip just tightened, giving her no chance to break away.

It wasn't until they reached the door of the room that Brandon finally extended his hand, "Room key!"

His voice was cold and tinged with anger, quashing any of Sophia's attempts to resist.

Hesitating, she pulled out the room card, which Brandon snatched away, swiped to open the door, and pushed Sophia inside before turning his attention to the room.

It was a spacious double room with no kitchen appliances.

He had Sophia sit on the couch, then turned around to call room service for some sobering tea, and afterward grabbed the kettle from the table, unsure if it was clean.

He heated half a kettle of lukewarm water, warmed a bottle of mineral water, twisted off the cap, and handed it to Sophia. "Drink some water first."

"Mhm."

Sophia murmured her thanks, took a sip, and the discomfort in her stomach from the alcohol eased a little.

Knocks on the door came just then. Room service had brought the sobering tea.

Brandon collected it, muttered a thanks, and handed it to Sophia, "Drink this first."

She nodded silently and accepted the cup, sipping it slowly until it was empty.

The initial dizziness subsided after a brief sweat, the tipsiness remained, but not as strong.

After finishing the tea, she and Brandon fell back into a wordless silence.

Neither spoke, neither knew what to say.

She refused to be his wife, he refused to be just friends, and between them, there was nothing left but strangers.

Suddenly, the ringtone of a phone shattered the silence.

Sophia and Brandon both turned to look at the ringing handbag; it was Sophia's phone.

Brandon passed her the bag.

Sophia pulled out the phone. It was Ivan calling.