The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Theresa nodded at once, "Okay."

After speaking, she took a longing glance at the dress to the side. That puppy-dog look tugged at Brandon's heartstrings.

"How about Daddy gives it another shot?" He blurted out, trying to soothe her.

Theresa's face lit up instantly, "Okay."

Brandon couldn't help but flash her a smile, reopened the video, and started redoing her hair, attempting to tie it up again.

As soon as Sophia pushed the door and walked in, she saw Brandon sitting on the bed, awkwardly trying to braid Theresa's hair

while consulting a video on his phone. His handsface wore an expression of consternation rarely seen by her, and the braid in

his hands was a sorry sight.

The contrast between his clumsy yet earnest attempt at braiding and his usual confidence and cool composure was so stark that

Sophia froze in shock at the doorway.

Brandon turned and caught her staring blankly at the braid in his hands. He cleared his throat, "First ttrying to do someone's

hair, still getting the hang of it."

"Okay."

Sophia didn't quite know how to respond, finding the whole scene of Brandon doing hair a bit out of left field.

But after the initial surprise, she couldn't help but look at Brandon and admit to herself that he truly loved and doted on his child.

Throughout their many years together, hair braiding was something he had never done for her.

Perhaps Brandon sensed this too because his braiding paused for a moment before he looked up at her. Sophia gave him a

reassuring smile and approached, "Letdo it."

"Aren't you going to rest a bit more?" Brandon asked softly, noticing the fatigue under her eyes.

"No need, I'll catch up on sleep after breakfast," she said, standing beside the bed and taking Theresa's hair from his hands.

Brandon watched her.

Sophia didn't look at him, just swiftly dressed Theresa in the outfit and skillfully tied her hair into a beautiful ancient hairstyle. She

finished off the look with shair accessories in less than ten minutes, a testament to her dexterity.

"All done," she said softly as she placed the final accessory.

Brandon glanced at Theresa, who looked like a little lady straight out of a painting.

"Beautiful," he said.

Caring for their daughter, Sophia managed to surprise him daily with something new.

"Thank you," Sophia said with a small smile, still in the habit of being polite.

Brandon just smiled back, not continuing the conversation.

As long as Sophia was still being formal, their relationship couldn't progress further. This was not something that could be resolved

in the bedroom.

They could be wildly attracted to each other physically, unrestrained in bed, but once rationality returned, nothing changed.

It was the sas during their two years of marriage - intimate in bed, courteous and distant beyond it.

"I'm not going to work this morning," Sophia said softly while adjusting Theresa's clothes.

"Alright," Brandon nodded in acknowledgment.

Grace had prepared breakfast and was waiting to call them to eat.

"I'm thinking of hiring a dietitian who can cook to take care of our meals," Brandon told Sophia.

Sophia nodded, "That's fine."

She had arranged for something similar before but got too busy with work after returning to the country to find someone suitable,

so the plan had been put on hold.

Brandon also nodded, "Let's go have breakfast."

Breakfast had beca more relaxed and harmonious affair now that it was for four instead of two, with a child adding to the ease

of conversation, which mostly revolved around Theresa.

But Brandon was well aware that the fundamental issue between them remained unchanged.

Brandon couldn't put a finger on what he was feeling. His emotions had steadied somewhat; he no longer felt the violent ups and

downs of before.

Sitting in front of the desk at the office, Brandon was still pondering this, staring blankly at his laptop.

Kent entered the office to find Brandon staring into space, without the joy of having recognized his daughter.

"Mr. Crawley?" Kent couldn't help but call out.

Brandon turned to him, "What's up?"

Kent shook the takeaway bag in his hand, "Your delivery."

The mention surprised Kent even more.

Brandon ordering a delivery was unheard of, especially since this one didn't seem edible - at least from its shape, it looked more

like a human head.

Kent was unsure. He had just arrived downstairs when he saw the delivery guy with the package, trying to contact the reception to

bring it up. The receptionist saw Kent and asked him to take it.

All the way up, Kent was puzzled, unable to imagine what could be so important that Brandon needed a delivery.

Brandon saw the bag in his hand and reached out, "Give me."

"Sure." Kent asked as quickly bringing the bag to Brandon's desk and starting to open it, "Need help with that?"

"No need."

With a cool reply, Brandon had already grabbed the bag and tore it open, reaching in and pulling out a rubber mannequin head

used by a hairstylist.

Brandon placed the mannequin head on his desk, examined the long straight hair, and felt the texture, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Mr. Crawley, what are you doing with this?" Kent asked, genuinely baffled.

But his curiosity went unanswered.

"Nothing much," Brandon replied calmly, without even looking up, just appraising the mannequin head in front of him, and then

picking up a few strands of hair to braid them.

"You can go now," Brandon said softly, his attention still on the mannequin, not bothering to look up.

"Oh, okay." Kent hurriedly agreed, "Just callif you need anything."

As Kent bent down to take the takeaway bag from the desk, he accidentally caught a glimpse of the laptop screen, freezing in his

actions.

On Brandon's computer was a large Google search page, with just one line in the search box:

"How do you win back a girl who's disappointed in you?"

Kent was speechless.

His sudden halt made Brandon raise his head, only to see Kent staring at the laptop in shock. Instinctively, Brandon glanced at the

computer screen too, and then with a loud slam, he snapped the laptop shut.

"Get out!"

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMwWLHIOfiflO&1

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMyWL11I01F1081

mMMwWLIIOfiflO&1