The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

After dinner, Brandon drove Sophia and Theresa to thepany.

Theresa was buzzing with excitement the whole way.

She hade to terms with Sophia's amnesia and, like a little grown-up, enthusiastically and patiently pointed out the street scenes to Sophia, playing the role of a diligent mini tour guide.

Her excitement turned into shrieks as the Starlight building slowly cinto view.

"Mommy, look, look, that's Daddy'spany!" she exclaimed, not etting to kneel up and press her face against the car window, her hand pointing fiercely at the still-distant Starlight building, as if worried Sophia might miss it.

Her surprised and proud expression even made Brandon, who was driving, sneak a peek at her.

She had already happily pulled Sophia's hand over and was leaning against the window, pointing at the Starlight building not far away, urging her to look.

Sophia followed her gaze to the building, which indeed looked grand and imposing.

"The whole building belongs to Daddy," Theresa said with pride and diligence as she introduced it to Sophia.

Sophia chuckled in response, "Is that so? Then Theresa's daddy is pretty awesome." Brandon glanced at her but said nothing.

Instead, Theresa furrowed her brows in confusion, sensing something was off but unable to put her finger on it.

It was from Theresa's reaction that Sophia realized she had unconsciously referred to Brandon as "Theresa's daddy," which sounded a bit odd, and that must have triggered Theresa's puzzled response.

But to correct herself and just say "Daddy is so awesome" felt strangely intimate, and she wasn't quitefortable blurting that out.

She didn't want Theresa to dwell on this confusion, so she smoothly changed the subject: "Do you oftene to Daddy'spany, Theresa?" Sure enough, Theresa's attention was diverted as she nodded proudly, "Yeah, whenever Daddy has time, he bringshere to play." Sophia asked, "Isn't it boring for you to stay in the office while Daddy works?" Theresa shook her head, "Not at all. There are so many fun places in Daddy'spany. When Daddy's busy, I go exploring with my auntie. Mommy, lettell you, Daddy'spany is huge, and there are so many people, but it seems like they're all kind of scared of Daddy..." "Cough..." Brandon cleared his throat.

Puzzled, Theresa looked at him.

"Who told you everyone's scared of Daddy?" Brandon asked softly, taking the opportunity while waiting for the traffic light to turn. Theresa shook her head, "Nobody told me. But whenever Daddy carriespast them, if they were talking, they all suddenly stop talking when they see Daddy." "That's not being scared of Daddy," Brandon corrected her, "That's being scared of the boss. If Mommy went there, they'd be scared of her too." "I don't think so," Theresa said, glancing at Sophia, "Mommy doesn't look like she'd scold anyone." Sophia: "..." Brandon looked at Sophia and, for once, agreed with Theresa, nodding slightly: "Theresa's right." But to prevent her from instilling the wrong image of Sophia, he calmly corrected her, "Daddy doesn't scold people either." "But Daddy looks even scarier than a mean person when he's upset," Theresa said, and couldn't help but turn to Sophia, "Mommy, when Daddy's unhappy, he looks like this..." As she spoke, she imitated Brandon's furrowed brow, capturing his look surprisingly well.

Brandon: "..." ›opnia was amused by ineresa s mitation, but since they were still in he car and Brandon was there, she lidn't laugh out loud, instead smiling and saying to Theresa, "Because Daddy is everyone's leader, just like r, Schoolteacher. He has to manage he wholepany like teacher nanages a class of kids. If Daddy vasn't a bit stern, then everyone night not listen to him, and thepany would be like your class at school, with kids talking and not aying attention to the teacher, and hen nobody would learn anything." Her voice was gentle and unhurried, like the sound of a stream flowing through a mountain brook, soft and melodious.

For a moment, Brandon felt a sense of déjà vu, remembering how before her accident, she would patiently and gently explain things to Theresa whenever she was confused.

Caught in this reverie, he stared at Sophia, lost in thought.

Theresa, too, remembered how her nother used to clear up her confusions in the sway. She vas staring blankly at Sophia until Sophia's voice trailed off, then she >pened her eyes wide and autiously sought confirmation, Mommy, do you rememberlow?" >w Λου Sophia was taken aback, looking at Theresa.

In Theresa's eyes was a careful hope and surprise.

That expectant gaze made Sophia feel even more at a loss; she hadn't remembered, she had just been explaining so that the child wouldn't misunderstand her father.

Nodding or shaking her head would hurt a smart and sensitive child either way.

Sophia was still getting to know Theresa and didn't dare make such a decision. In her moment of uncertainty, she instinctively looked to Brandon for help, only to find Brandon staring at her in a daze.

His eyes were on her, yet not entirely, as if looking through her at someone else.

At that moment, she felt even more perplexed, but fortunately, the traffic light had turned green, and the cars behind them were honking their horns, impatient for them to move.

Brandon snapped out of it, glanced briefly toward the rear window, and when his gaze returned to Sophia's face, the light had changed.

He gave her aforting smile, then suddenly reached out to gently pat her head, his voice husky as he told her, "That's exactly how you used to teach Theresa, hasn't changed a bit." Sophia managed a weak smile: "Oh..." She was at a loss for words, not sure how to respond to this topic.

"Let's head to the office first." Brandon withdrew his hand and softly said to Theresa, "Mom always remembers Theresa." His response immediately calmed the anxious little one, even if it was just a white lie.

Brandon knew Sophia wouldn't lie to the kid; it would weigh heavily on her conscience.

He didn't linger on the road, restarting the car.

The Starlight Group was right ahead, just past the traffic light.

Brandon drove straight into the underground parking garage.

Theresa had already otten the brief hiccup, recognizing the place. As soon as Brandon parked the car, she excitedly tugged at Sophia's hand, saying, "Mom,e on, letshow you around Dad'spany." Brandon too, had stepped out of the car and opened the doors for Sophia and Theresa, then with a "Let's go," he bent down to pick up Theresa.

Sophia also got out, looking around the vast garage, feeling a sense of familiarity but her mind still blank.

Chapter 663 3 While speaking, his hand naturally took hers.