The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 384

Sophia was still in a daze, her mind all over the place, when Brandon led her to stand under the roller coaster. She couldn't help but glance at him.

Brandon was gazing at the line of people, his sharp profile outlined by the contrasting shadows and light, his handsome face calm and serious.

She couldn't resist looking down at their hands, firmly interlocked by his strong fingers. His hands were large, warm, and powerful, gripping hers tightly.

The heat from their palms slowly spread, making her heart race a bit faster.

She tried to move her hand slightly. Brandon's grip tightened, and then he turned to look at her, "Up for it?"

Sophia looked up at the roller coaster that was already halfway to the sky, the pace quickening and the near-vertical drops making the riders scream nonstop.

She had only been on something like this once during her first year of college with classmates at a theme park.

Back then, fresh out of high school and into college, she was in a bittersweet phase of missing Brandon, with couples seated all around her.

At that time, the equipment got stuck mid-air, leaving everyone screaming in terror.

While waiting and fearing, Sophia watched a girl next to her dive into her boyfriend's embrace, held tightly; he reassured her, "Don't be scared." That was when she truly thought of Brandon, wondering what it would be like if he were there with her.

Unfortunately, she never had the chance to hang out with Brandon like this over the years.

Maybe it was that little fixation from her younger days that made her nod lightly under Brandon's intense yet cool gaze, "Yeah, why not?"

As soon as she spoke, the hand Brandon was holding tightened suddenly.

He took her over to the ticket booth, bought two tickets, and together they boarded the roller coaster, famed to be the most thrilling ride in West district.

As the safety harness snapped into place, Sophia's mind, after the initial rush, cooled down a bit, and the memory of being stuck mid-air years ago made her nervous, her hands gripping the metal bar in front of her abdomen tightly.

Brandon noticed her slightly pale face, "Scared?"

Sophia hesitated, and then nodded honestly, "A little."

He didn't say anything, just reached out and took her hand.

"Don't be scared," he said, his voice deep and slow, his grip firm.

Sophia felt a sudden pang of emotion and hesitantly looked at him. Brandon gave her a reassuring smile and gripped her hand tighter. Sophia managed a weak smile back at him.

Almost instantly, the ride started.

Sophia, startled, instinctively clung to his hand. Brandon, too, held on tight.

All Sophia could remember afterward was the rush of adrenaline from the sudden acceleration and the firm grasp on her hand.

The wind whooshed by her ears, accompanied by screams, her body plunging and then shooting up with the ride, making her feel like she was about to fly off, her heart in her throat with the thrill. Amidst the overwhelming fear, everything went dark, and suddenly, Brandon turned and gently held her.