The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 35

Brandon totally saw it coming, but when it actually hit him, his heart skipped a beat, as if it got struck by something. That light, floaty feeling was pretty wild.

He couldn't help but start picturing it all, the kiddo cozy in Sophia's belly, growing up bit by bit.

Each daydream made the whole dad-to-be thing feel more real, more tangible.

The report Brandon was holding crinkled a bit with the anticipation bubbling up inside.

He glanced at Sophia, "Still puking your guts out?"

The softness in his eyes almost knocked her off her feet.

She dodged the question with a slight turn of her head, "It's manageable."

Brandon hummed in response, his gaze lingering on her petite frame before asking, "I've seen you pregnant before."

So when he rocked up and saw her suddenly all skin and bones, plus the medical report casually left on the coffee table, the gears started turning, even though he didn't dwell on it much then. But the way Sophia tried to play it off with a routine blood test report made it all too obvious.

Add to that her evasive maneuvers, so it wasn't rocket science to figure out what was up.

Sophia clammed up. From the moment Brandon popped in unannounced, she knew she couldn't pull the wool over his eyes – it was just a matter of whether he'd call her out or not.

"I'm thinking of moving in," Brandon said.

She shot that down without missing a beat, "No way."

"Then pack your bags and crash at my place," He offered her a plan B.

Still, she shook her head, "I don't want to."

"It's one or the other, Sophia. I come to you, or you come to me," he stood his ground, "There's no way I'm letting you go solo on this."

She was at a loss for words. Brandon could be pretty stubborn when it came to her or the little one's well-being, and she knew it.

"Don't be like that, Brandon," Sophia tried to reason with him, "I can't move back in with you."

"My place has got two bedrooms. We wouldn't have to share," he was chill about it, "Think of it as roomies splitting rent."

Sophia didn't say anything.

"This little one is as much my responsibility as it is yours. I can't just leave you two hanging," Brandon said, giving her tiny bedroom a once-over, "If you're not on board, then I'm the one moving in."

Sophia kept silent.

"Sophia, this is about your and the baby's safety. I'm not bending on this," Brandon told her, calm but firm, "So, are you packing now, or shall I?" He added, "I'm staying at the Starlight Hotel, just around the corner, you've seen it this afternoon." .

"I don't want to go, and I don't want you here, Brandon," she tried reasoning again, "Brandon, I've finally taken a step forward, don't push me back."

"I'm not pushing you back," Brandon said, "But as long as that baby's in you, it's my duty and right to look out for both of you. I'm the father, Sophia," He pressed on, "It's my responsibility and my right."

Sophia didn't say anything.