The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 474

When they got back home, the two of them hit the kitchen together just like old times.

It'd been a hot minute since they last cooked up a storm together, and Theresa must've sensed it, because she was over the moon seeing them at it again tonight, barging into the kitchen, all thumbs, eager to lend a hand.

Sophia and Brandon didn't put any brakes on her; they gave her some easy-peasy tasks, and the little pumpkin was all in, working her socks off.

The excitement and joy carried over to dinner, with Theresa gabbing away, trying to juggle eating and chatting at the same time.

She was so much more full of beans than she had been in the past few days. It was clear as day that Theresa was really digging this family vibe.

Sophia, watching Theresa like this, felt a rollercoaster of emotions. As a mom, seeing her kid happy and chipper was the biggest win she could ask for.

Her internal scales were already tipping, almost without her realizing it, towards giving Theresa the full family package.

But with this tilt came a pang of regret and a touch of melancholy that she wasn't the main act anymore.

Lost in these feels, she didn't even notice she had stopped fussing with the tableware and was just staring off into space at Theresa, oblivious to Brandon's gaze fixed on her.

From the moment she started watching Theresa, Brandon had his eyes locked on her. He didn't miss the struggle and compromise in her eyes, nor the subtle shades of regret and sadness.

The weight of those emotions was like a heavy blanket on his chest.

After dinner, they took Theresa for a walk, helped her with her bedtime routine, and tucked her in, just like always.

Once Theresa was asleep, Sophia headed to the studio next door. Brandon didn't follow; they both needed some time and space to ponder.