The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 206

"Maybe it's just," Kent pondered, "being tough on oneself, you know?"

Brandon seemed to zone out for a second before turning to look at him.

Thinking he might have said something off, Kent added awkwardly, "Just spitballing here."

"You're right."

Brandon said, pushing himself up from the wall with his elbow, "She's always been her own toughest critic."

So tough that it seemed like his refusal to let go was just another level of cruelty to her.

A pang hit Brandon in the chest with this realization.

He averted his gaze.

He didn't stick around in the gym any longer, heading back to his hotel room to wash off the sweat and with it, the heavy feeling that had been pressing on his chest all afternoon.

After freshening up, Brandon redirected his focus back to work.

And he was knee-deep in it until late at night.

By the time he packed up his laptop, the city outside had completely succumbed to sleep.

He was staying at the Starlight Hotel, part of the Starlight Group, in a presidential suite similar to the one he'd stayed in back in Wye City, with nearly identical decor.

The familiar setting easily brought back bittersweet memories.

Back then, he and Sophia were already distant, despite appearances. It was only his ultimatum that forced her back by his side.

Two years had passed and nothing had changed. The one who couldn't let go and move on was him, and him alone.

Grabbing his phone from the table, Brandon flicked open WhatsApp.

Don had just posted a new update on Facebook - a brainstorming session with the design department, complete with photos of the meeting room and the designers in it.

In that sneaky snapshot from the brainstorm, Brandon easily spotted Sophia sitting to the right of Don.

Next to her was Ivan, deep in conversation with her, her face and eyes radiating her usual gentle warmth, her lips perpetually curved in a soft smile.

Her gaze had always been tender, lacking any edge. Those beautiful eyes used to be for him, but at some point, he'd become just another face in the crowd to her.

Augus sitting across from her was looking at Sophia with a face full of surprise and admiration.

The look in his eyes still held a youthful zest and vigor.

Brandon had a vague recollection of Augus from their brief encounters. He seemed to be the kind of guy Sophia would picture as her other half - passionate, lively, proactive, and amusing.

Brandon wondered if Sophia might be charmed by such a man through daily interactions, or perhaps by the still unremarkable Ivan.

Back on the singles market, Sophia was never short of men noticing her beauty; it was just a matter of whether she would choose to respond.

For the past two years, Brandon had never allowed himself to picture her with another man.

Her life at university had been too focused, all about the books, never giving any guy a chance to get close.

But now that she was working, office interactions were inevitable, as was spending time together. Brandon was well aware that the Sophia back in the workforce wasn't going to be like her campus self.

He tried to picture a future where Sophia was with someone else and that suffocating feeling hit him again.

With a flick, he snuffed out the phone, tossed it aside, and went to bed.

After a good sleep, Brandon was in much better shape, pouring all his time and energy into work.

Being busy allowed him to temporarily forget all emotions.

Gavin was still on the fence about the terms for acquiring the Starlight Hotel.

Brandon wasn't showing any eagerness either, just playing it cool and waiting for an outcome.

Tia had taken a liking to Brandon.

She hadn't managed to add him on WhatsApp, but that didn't stop her from making moves.