The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Brandon scooped her up and pulled her in close, gently patting her back and whispering soothing words, feeling a pang of guilt

eating him up inside. He hadn't expected Theresa to wake up in the middle of the night, let alone be freaked out by it.

Before Sophia's accident, Theresa had always slept like a log till dawn. Sophia's sudden exit hit both him and Theresa like a ton of

bricks.

Even though she consoled herself in her letter, saying that her stint on earth was perhaps just to repay all the karmic debts she

owed, and once squared, she could ascend back to her own world, that wasn't the ending she deserved.

This was the result of someone's foul play.

She would never have willingly cut ties with him and left Theresa to face the world all alone. The moment she decided to bring

Theresa into the world, sticking around to see her grow up was part of the plan. But someone's malice had stripped her of that

right and robbed Theresa of the happy life she was meant to have.

Brandon's hand, resting on Theresa's shoulder, started to move more slowly, and beneath his lowered eyelids, his eyes turned icy

cold.

Kent, standing to the side, caught the sharp chill crystallizing in Brandon's eyes. It was the look of hate pushed to the extreme, of

ruthlessness personified.

He knew all too well that the old Brandon, cool and calm as distant mountains and rivers, might be gone for good.

Sophia was the warmth underpinning all his tenderness. With her gone, it was like his soul had been yanked out.

But seeing Brandon now, with that intense ruthlessness in his eyes, Kent would rather deal with this Brandon than the one who was

too pained to speak earlier. At least this way, there was something fueling him to keep going.

"Any news from the construction site these past few days?"

Watching Theresa slowly fall asleep on his shoulder with his comforting, Brandon finally spoke up. His voice was still hoarse but

carried a hint of venom as he deliberately lowered it.

"Nothing yet." Kent whispered back, careful not to wake the now peacefully sleeping Theresa, "Everyone's sticking to the site for

now, but there are srestless ones."

"Givethe list," Brandon said.

"Sure thing." Kent nodded, noticing Brandon still looked under the weather and couldn't help but urge, "Mr. Crawley, you should get

srest tonight. Take care of yourself first. I've got people keeping an eye on things; no one's going anywhere. You and Theresa

really need a good night's sleep."

He hadn't forgotten the grave look on the ER doctor's face when asked how long it had been since Brandon had slept. After

Sophia's disappearance, Brandon had collapsed twice from sheer exhaustion, a so-called self-preservation mechanism kicking in,

but to put it bluntly, he was dancing on the edge of sudden death, and Kent was genuinely scared for him.

"I know." Brandon murmured, glancing at Theresa asleep on his chest, then back at him, "You should head back and rest too.

You've been through the wringer yourself."

Kent offered a smile, "What trouble could | have? It's just a phone call, and there's a whole crew at our beck and call."

He looked at Brandon again, "You rest up, Mr. Crawley. I've got things covered here."

"No need."

Brandon didn't ask him to stay, nor was there a need to. He was well aware of how hard Kent had been working, "You go get some

rest. | want salone twith Theresa."

Kent couldn't say much when Brandon played the Theresa card, so he nodded, "Then givea ring if you need anything, Mr.

Crawley. I'll swing by tomorrow."

"Get srest," Brandon nodded.

"You too," Kent agreed, bobbing his head.

After bidding farewell, Kent turned to leave when Brandon suddenly called out, "Kent!"

Kent looked back, puzzled.

"Thank you," said Brandon.

It was the first the had thanked him so earnestly and sincerely. Kent was momentarily stunned, and then quickly smiled, "Mr.

Crawley, why the formality? We're all in this together."

Though he said it lightly, his voice was tinged with emotion. He found himself unexpectedly moved by Brandon's sudden show of

sentiment, filled with a sense of gallant loyalty.

Brandon didn't say more, and just managed a strained semblance of a smile in response. He was never one to smile much, and

smiling during such times was even less likely.

Kent's heart was a mix of sorrow and admiration. After a final "Take care", he left, leaving Brandon alone with Theresa.

It wasn't until the door shut behind him, and silence reclaimed the room, that Brandon looked away, his eyes returning to their

solemn state.

He gazed at Theresa, now finally sleeping peacefully in his arms, and carefully placed her on the hospital bed. He pulled the covers

over her gently before letting out a soft sigh, pressing a hand against his unsettled stomach, yet his gaze never strayed from

Theresa's face.

Back when he didn't know Theresa was his daughter, he thought she merely resembled Sophia, and the vibe she gave off was

uncannily similar. After a few failed attempts to prove a connection, he forced himself to see them as two separate individuals.

But now, looking at Theresa, whether it was the halo effect or something else, her eyebrows and eyes were unmistakably Sophia's,

and those of a young Yolanda too.

Brandon's fingertips couldn't help but trace Theresa's features, picturing every solitary moment of Sophia sitting quietly in a

corner, and the ache in his chest surged once more.

"I'm sorry," his hoarse voice broke the silence of the narrow space.

But aside from Sophia's phone by the pillow, the air was devoid of her voice. No one was there to say "it's okay" anymore.

The next day, Brandon woke up to the sound of chaos. To ensure he got srest, the doctor had added a sedative to his IV.

Brandon had the best sleep he'd had since Sophia's mishap. Theresa too - maybe it was the tiny hospital bed, but she snuggled

into his arms and found speace in her dreams, finally sleeping through till dawn.

Brandon woke up to a racket, still groggy from the meds. He grimaced and sat up, only to spot Daniel and Patricia barging through

the hospital room door, faces etched with worry and anxiety.

"Brandon, heard you passed out last night, you okay? Feeling any better now?"

Daniel rushed in and beelined for Brandon, concern etched in his every move. But before he could even reach the bedside,

Brandon cut him off with a chilly, "Get out!"

As he spoke, he hit the nurse call button, "Got sunwelcvisitors here; can you please show them the door?"

Daniel was floored, staring at Brandon in disbelief.

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