The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 73

Brandon stood in the middle of the paternity test center's lobby, staring blankly at the bustling staff and clients, feeling a weariness and emptiness like never before.

It was like the beliefs that had propped him up inside just crumbled in an instant, leaving him totally lost.

Then, among all those unfamiliar faces, Brandon spotted Martin on the phone, clutching a folded-up paternity test report.

Martin saw him too, his face just as composed.

Neither of them said hello.

Brandon didn't greet him either. His gaze lingered on the DNA report in Martin's hand for a moment before calmly shifting away. After a brief silence, he asked, "Need a lift?"

"No, I'm good," Martin smiled and declined. "My grandpa and my parents are in town, at the airport. I'm heading there to pick them up."

Brandon nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

"Brandon," Martin called after him, "why don't you join us at the airport? You haven't seen them in a while."

"No need, I've got things to do," Brandon declined.

Martin nodded, not pressing any further.

When Brandon got home, Sophia was sketching design drawings in the living room.

It wasn't homework or work. She was just doodling in her free time.

She sat in front of her easel on the balcony, wielding her drawing pen with ease, her long curly hair pinned up behind her head, her side-swept bangs curling softly against her cheek. Bathed in the light and shadows, her face was tranquil and gentle, her expression serious and focused.

Brandon remembered she was always like this. Whether she was frustrated or just bored, once she sat in front of her canvas, her whole demeanor would become serene, blending perfectly with her surroundings.

She was used to entertaining herself, always finding ways to be happy without relying on anyone else's emotional support or pep talks.

She'd long since reached a point where she didn't need anybody.

This kind of clear-headed independence came from balancing herself amidst a long-standing absence of familial warmth.

But as a child, Yolanda was the darling that everyone doted on, so she learned to depend on people, to trust them, and to use her little bit of strength to warm others.

Sophia turned around and spotted Brandon, who was silently watching her with a calm yet wooden expression, filled with a hint of regret and nostalgia, as well as a faint, indescribable conflict.

She noticed the A4 paper in his hand, her gaze pausing briefly on it before looking back at Brandon with a small smile, "Back already?"

Brandon just looked at her for a while before nodding softly, "Yeah."

He then asked, "Have you eaten?"

Sophia nodded gently, "Yeah, just had something. You?"