The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate (Brandon and Sophia) novel Chapter 761

“That was supposed to be a road I walked with you,” Brandon said softly.

“If we’d actually walked it together, things might not have turned out like this,” Sophia replied, flashing him a lighthearted smile. “I believe everything happens for a reason.”

Brandon smiled too, and let the heavy topic drop.

Meanwhile, Theresa, the unwitting subject of their conversation, had no idea what her parents were talking about.

She tried hard to follow along at first, but as a child, her attention span only lasted so long. Before she knew it, her focus drifted toward the shopping mall.

Just outside the main entrance, a colorful children’s play area pulsed with lively music and bright lights, drawing her in like a beacon.

Utterly captivated, Theresa tugged at Brandon’s sleeve. “Daddy, what’s that girl doing over there?” she asked, puzzled.

Brandon and Sophia instinctively followed Theresa’s pointing finger and spotted a little girl, maybe four or five, struggling to climb the edge of a giant aquarium. She was reaching desperately for something inside, half her body already leaning precariously over the rim. There wasn’t a single adult in sight.

In the instant they looked over, the girl lost her balance and, with a loud splash, toppled headfirst into the waist-high tub—her legs flailing in the air as she kicked in panic.

Brandon and Sophia’s faces instantly changed.

“Keep an eye on Theresa,” Brandon said, placing their daughter in Sophia’s arms and striding quickly toward the chaos. In a few swift steps, he reached the tank and lifted the soaking, sputtering girl out.

The moment she gulped in fresh air, the child let out a wail, clearly terrified.

Not far off, a young woman on her phone jerked around at the sound. When she spotted her drenched, sobbing daughter, her face went pale. She hung up in a rush and hurried over.

A nearby staff member who’d witnessed everything rushed over, too.

As the young mother scooped up her crying child, the staff member couldn’t hold back: “Ma’am, you need to keep an eye on your kid! Do you realize how dangerous it is to leave such a young child alone here? If this gentleman hadn’t reacted so quickly, who knows what might have happened?”

“I’m so sorry, really—thank you, all of you,” the woman stammered, checking her daughter for bumps and bruises. Once she was sure the little girl was unharmed, she finally looked up at Brandon—and froze. “Mr. Crawley?”

Brandon looked up, brow furrowing slightly as he recognized her. Barbara Yearwood—his wife’s sister-in-law, Aaron Yearwood’s wife.

Sophia approached, still holding Theresa, concern etched across her face. “Is she alright?”

Barbara, startled by Sophia’s gentle voice, stared at her in disbelief, eyes wide.

Sophia, caught off guard by Barbara’s reaction, gave Brandon a questioning look.

He squeezed her hand reassuringly, then took Theresa from her arms. Addressing Barbara, who was still gawking at Sophia, he said, “Ms. Temple, it’s cold out. You should get your daughter into some dry clothes.”

Barbara snapped out of it, grateful. “Yes, thank you, Mr. Crawley.” She bent to pick up her daughter—Betty—unbuttoning the soaked coat and apologizing, “Betty’s father was supposed to be watching her. I just stepped away to take a call, and in that short time, this happened. I don’t even know where he went. If it weren’t for you, I can’t imagine what might have happened…”

Her voice trembled with emotion. Even as she fussed over Betty, her gaze kept darting back to Sophia.

Sophia stood next to Brandon, polite but distant, her expression that of a stranger.

Barbara didn’t dare ask more. There was no time anyway—Betty’s top half and hair were drenched, and she shivered with cold.

Thankfully, a children’s clothing shop was right nearby, its warm air beckoning. Barbara hurried inside, leaving only a lingering, puzzled glance at Sophia as she turned at the door.

Sophia caught the questioning look and couldn’t help asking Brandon, “Do you know her?”

He nodded. “Not really—just met a few times.”

Before she could press further, he changed the subject. “Let’s go inside and eat. It’s freezing out here.”

Sophia nodded, following him into the mall, but not without a backward glance toward the children’s store.

Brandon guided his wife and daughter to a cozy café on the first floor.

“Take a look at the menu and see what you want. I’ll be right back—I need to wash up,” he said, setting Theresa down.

Sophia nodded. “Go ahead.”

But instead of heading toward the restrooms, Brandon quietly slipped into the children’s shop Barbara had entered.

Barbara had just finished dressing Betty in fresh clothes when Brandon walked in. She looked up, surprised, and instinctively glanced behind him for Sophia.

“Ms. Temple, you can stop looking. That was Sophia,” Brandon said, answering the unspoken question. “She’s forgotten everything—she doesn’t remember any of you.”

Barbara stared at him, stunned. Remembering Sophia’s blank eyes earlier, she began to understand.

Brandon watched her reaction closely.

“You know better than I do how things used to be for her at your house,” he said quietly. “I’d appreciate it if your family didn’t reach out. Sophia’s finally happy now. You seem reasonable, Ms. Temple. I hope you can appreciate how hard it’s been for her. Please, don’t mention today to anyone.”

Barbara looked at him in surprise, but didn’t immediately agree.

“My father-in-law misses Sophia a lot,” she said. “I think he has a right to know she’s alive.”

“And then what?” Brandon asked. “Would he be able to keep his wife and son in check? Protect his daughter? When his wife and son made things difficult for her, whose side did he take? Could he handle it?”

Barbara opened her mouth, but fell silent.

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