The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 46

Sophia zipped back to her room and fired off the contract to Susan.

Susan had already hit the sack and only caught wind of the contract from Sophia when she woke up the next day. Still groggy from sleep, her eyes popped open as she got a gander at the contract, and she sat bolt upright in bed, surprise written all over her face. She eyeballed the contract not once, but twice, just to make sure it was indeed Brandon’s handwriting. Once convinced, she shot a message back to Sophia, all excited. [Holy smokes, you actually managed to wrap up Brandon in one night! How on earth did you pull that off? Didn’t you say he was as tough as nails and never liked to pull strings for anyone?]

Sophia caught Susan’s message while riding shotgun in Brandon’s car, as he was giving her a lift to school.

She couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Brandon. The Brandon she knew was all about fair play, never bending the rules for anyone, which was why she never bothered him with anything during their marriage.

Brandon had thrown her for a loop last night. She had just tentatively popped the question, not expecting him to agree so readily, let alone seal the deal on the spot with such efficiency.

Sensing her gaze, Brandon found a moment to glance her way. “What’s up?”

Sophia shook her head. “Nothing major, just got a message from Susan. She’s over the moon and wanted me to pass on her thanks.”

“No need for thanks. I didn’t do it just to break my rule for her sake.”

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat at that.

She turned her gaze away slightly, her fingers still fidgeting with her phone.

“I remember you never made exceptions for anyone before,” she murmured.

“So, you never came to me for help, right?” Brandon said, his foot easing onto the brake as the traffic light flipped from green to red, bringing the car to a smooth halt before the stop line. Then he looked at her, “Why didn’t you ever think of coming to me for anything?”

“I didn’t want to make things tough for you,” Sophia said softly, not looking his way.

“Was it about not making things tough for me, or not wanting to owe me a favor?”

Sophia paused, her eyes meeting Brandon’s.

Brandon was still looking at her.

Sophia hadn’t really thought about it that way. She just genuinely didn’t want to challenge Brandon’s principles. Once she asked for a favor, whether it’s granted or not, feelings can get hurt.

She had hesitantly broached the subject with him this time because she knew Brandon had his own standards and lines that wouldn’t be crossed, so helping or not wouldn’t make much difference.

“I haven’t thought about it,” she confessed honestly, “I just didn’t want to put you on the spot before.”

Her answer seemed to clear the clouds from Brandon’s expression.

As the light turned green, Brandon fired up the engine.

“Sophia, truth be told, I’ve never minded you troubling me,” he said softly as the car pulled away, “sometimes, I even wish you would come to me with your troubles.”

Sophia shot him a surprised look.

Brandon didn’t return her gaze, just focused on driving.

Sophia kept quiet, but his words had struck a chord.

She had always been a sensitive soul, easily moved by someone’s words, especially when they came from a man she once loved deeply.