The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 217

Sophia gave a slight nod, "Yeah, all good now."

"Gotta take better care of yourself." Brandon said, "Work ain't everything."

Sophia couldn't help but chuckle, "Funny hearing that from you."

Brandon cracked a smile too but didn't bite. They sat in a corner, not making a beeline for the private room.

The crowd that had gathered for the juicy gossip was still dining in the cafeteria, sneaking peeks over at them, curiosity written all over their faces, and couldn't help speculating about Sophia's identity.

Even though Sophia and Brandon had been married for two years, she rarely visited the company. On the rare occasions she did, it was straight to the top floor via Brandon's private elevator, so most folks didn't recognize her, let alone know about her relationship with Brandon.

But everyone had seen Brandon ditch the brave girl who confessed her feelings and beeline straight to Sophia.

They clearly saw the tenderness in Brandon's eyes, yet all he did was ask her out for a meal. Now, they were just eating like any two old pals. Thought they had a juicy story, but turned out they got zip.

Sophia noticed the curious looks from the people around. She glanced at Brandon; Brandon’s face was calm as ever. Both tacitly avoided bringing up the recent scene to maintain the peace they were enjoying.

They had the most harmonious yet polite meal since they reunited.

It felt vaguely like going back to those two years of marriage, minus the intimacy, that bone-deep, unrestrained, fiery affection.

The elevator stopped on the seventeenth floor. The doors opened, and Brandon saw Ivan walking from the printer towards the office with some design plans.

Ivan happened to look up and catch Brandon's eye. Brandon looked away and turned to Sophia.

"I'm here," Sophia said as she turned to bid goodbye to Brandon.

"Uh-huh," Brandon nodded.

Sophia stepped out of the elevator. Brandon watched her leave.

The elevator doors closed, and their expressions slowly faded with them. Things just weren't the same anymore.

Don had stepped out for a call and missed the midday drama, but he caught the gist from the fiery chat logs and videos shared in the work group.

Don wasn't one to wait around. As soon as lunch was over, he bolted straight to Brandon's office during the break.

"What's the big picture here?"

He quizzed, "Who's this chick? She chased you all the way to the office?"

Brandon was leaning back with his hand propping his chin, eyes closed, looking beat.

"A client's daughter," he replied without opening his eyes.

"This girl's got spunk, chasing you down and confessing in front of a crowd. Seems like true love to me," Don remarked, appreciating her guts.

Brandon shot him a look, unimpressed.

"Weren't touched by it?" Don prodded, "If it was me, I might've said 'yes' on the spot. Took guts for her to do that."

Brandon said, "What if I can't speak up?"

Don was stumped.

Brandon gazed at him, "I was wondering today, if Tia was Sophia at seventeen, what would've happened between us?"

Don looked at him, "You'd have turned her down, right?"

Brandon nodded slowly.

If a high school senior Sophia had told him she liked him, he probably would've said no. Back then when he hadn’t gained much of life experience, he hadn't realized what Sophia meant to him.

Sophia knew him better than he knew himself, so she chose to stay silent.

The Brandon of today wouldn't, but the seventeen-year-old Sophia was never coming back.

He didn't know what Sophia was thinking today, but he saw deep sadness and sorrow in her envious gaze. He thought Sophia must have also wondered what if she had the courage of today's Tia back then.