The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate (Brandon and Sophia) novel Chapter 739

Theresa and Susan had been sitting in the audience the whole time, so they saw the exact moment Brandon took Sophia’s hand and led her up onto the stage.

Theresa couldn’t understand what her parents were saying, but just seeing her dad holding her mom’s hand made her giddy with happiness. When Brandon and Sophia came closer, Theresa jumped up from her seat, spreading her little arms wide and calling out with delight, “I want to hold hands, too!”

Brandon bent down and scooped her up. Then he turned to Susan, “We have to head home. Do you want to stay, or come back with us?”

He hadn’t forgotten that Susan was there because he’d asked her to keep Sophia company. Now that they were leaving, he didn’t want to just abandon her.

Susan smiled, “What would I stay for? Of course I’ll leave with you guys.”

She spoke as she reached for her coat and bag.

“Let’s go,” Susan said, heading for the exit.

Across the room, Kent was still helping Brandon entertain the remaining guests. Seeing them leave, he frowned slightly.

Someone chatting nearby noticed and asked with a laugh, “Kent, what’s up?”

Kent returned the smile, “Nothing,” and calmly looked away.

Sophia noticed Kent’s subtle change in expression. She glanced at Susan, about to say something, but Susan lightly patted her shoulder with a smile, “You should focus on sorting things out between you two.”

She shot Brandon a knowing look.

Even though Brandon had just publicly declared Sophia as his wife, which moved Susan as an onlooker, she could tell that whole scene had happened only because their conversation had been interrupted. Brandon’s determination had a touch of making-a-clean-break finality to it.

Sophia had only just learned that she and Brandon weren’t actually married as she’d thought. They hadn’t even had time to talk about it. She was probably feeling lost and overwhelmed.

Brandon glanced at Susan, “I’ll have someone drive you home.”

“No need.” Susan waved him off cheerfully. “I drove myself, and I’ve got plans. See you!”

With that, she strode off without looking back, waving her hand in an enthusiastic goodbye.

Sophia looked over at Kent.

He watched Susan’s retreating figure for a moment, then looked away, making no move to stop her.

Sophia sighed inwardly. Those two kept their thoughts locked up like clams—nearly impossible to pry open.

“Let’s head home,” Brandon said quietly. Still holding Theresa in his arms, he led the way out, keeping Sophia’s hand in his.

Theresa craned her neck to look longingly back at the party. “We’re leaving already?”

“It’s too noisy here. These kinds of events aren’t really for you,” Brandon said, ruffling her hair. “When you’re a little older, we’ll come again, okay?”

Theresa was coaxed into agreement, nodding, but the energy of the bustling room had already seeped into her bones. On the way home, her chatter was relentless; Sophia and Brandon barely had a chance to exchange a word, spending most of the ride fielding her endless stream of questions.

Sophia’s patience and warmth shone as she answered every one of Theresa’s strange and wonderful curiosities, always in a way the little girl could understand. Brandon hardly had a chance to get a word in.

Even at home, Theresa’s chatter didn’t stop—not even at the dinner table. If she didn’t have a question for Sophia, she’d turn to Brandon.

Brandon, like Sophia, responded with the same gentle patience, always encouraging Theresa’s curiosity about the world.

After dinner, Brandon followed their usual routine, taking Theresa to get washed up and then drying her hair. The little one might have played a bit too hard that day; her excitement hadn’t worn off, but halfway through, her head drooped and she fell fast asleep.

Sophia came in to make up the bed, and Brandon gently laid Theresa down.

Sophia carefully tucked the covers around her, and Brandon moved to the other side, smoothing the blankets and making sure she was warm.

Their busy hands brushed against each other—a brief, unplanned touch that made them both pause.

For a moment, the air between them felt heavy.

Ever since learning earlier that evening that they’d actually been divorced for years, neither of them had found the chance to really talk things through.

Even though Brandon had pulled her onstage and told everyone she was his wife, the truth about their divorce—the reasons, the aftermath—none of it had been discussed.

When it came to caring for Theresa, their teamwork had only grown stronger. Back when Sophia still believed they were married, everything between them had felt easy and natural.

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