Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Chapter 3

And Kent was stumped.

Brandon said, “Aren’t you busy at work?”-

Kent shook his head like a madman. “Busy, super busy.”

He sneaked a peek at the darkness outside the window and couldn’t help but give a little nudge. “Mr. Crawley, it’s way past quitting time, and, uh, I’ve got an appointment to check out a place with a realtor, can I take off now?”

Brandon glanced at the time on his computer-it was already past seven.

He gave a nod “Mhm.”

Thanks. Mr. Crawley. After a hurried thank you, Kent did a quick tidy up and bolted out the door.

When the office door shut, Brandon finally lifted his gaze from the computer, his eyes lingering on the closed door for a moment before drifting to the vast night outside the window.

It was the time when thousands of homes were lit up, and the lights in the distant neighborhood were twinkling like

stars.

Brandon’s mind wandered to the lights at home and Sophia, always curled up on the couch sketching.

Sophia’s face flashed through his mind, and Brandon’s expression softened. He pulled his eyes away from the window and back to the computer screen. His long fingers hit the keyboard, ready to dive back into work, but after typing just one character, he stopped. The designs and spreadsheets that once captivated him now seemed bland.

With a swift move, Brandon pushed the keyboard away, stood up, yanked his suit jacket off the coat rack, grabbed the car keys from his desk, and left.

Once in the car, his emotions gradually settled down.

Brandon let out a sigh, started the engine, and slowly drove off.

Outside the window, the busy streets were a blur of light and color, a hive of activity. Brandon drove aimlessly, not wanting to go home.

As he passed by Sophia’s neighborhood, Kent’s words burst into his mind unannounced. “Looks like Sophia’s gonna sell the house.”

Brandon couldn’t help but glance at the entrance to her complex.

Just then, Sophia emerged, and their eyes met in a fleeting moment as she paused.

Brandon saw her too, his gaze coolly sweeping over her face.

Sophia managed a strained smile.

Brandon coldly looked away.

Sophia felt awkward, gave a self-macking chuckle, and turned to leave.

Suddenly, Brandon called out to her, “Are you going out?”

His voice was as calm and steady as ever

Sophia looked at him surprised and nodded. “Yeah, just need to pick up a few things.”

Brandon nodded and said nothing more.

This was the norm for the past two years.

Sophia, too, didn’t say more, just gave a polite smile and walked away.

Brandon didn’t make another sound, didn’t follow her, but he didn’t leave either.

Sophia could see his car still parked there through the glass of a shop window, her brow furrowing in confusion as phe entered the supermarket

Chapter

She was there to buy a new bulb for the broken bathroom light

Coming out with the new bulb, Sophia saw Brandon still around.

They unavoidably locked eyes again.

Sophia and Brandon hadn’t split as bitter enemies She couldn’t pretend he wasn’t there, but they had been like strangers in their mamage, so she couldn’t be overly friendly either. When their eyes met again, she gave a slight tug of her lips, a sort of greeting

Brandon showed no emotion, just watched her, his presence heavy, making even Sophia’s breathing feel constrained.

As she passed his car Brandon opened the door and followed her up the stairs in silence.

Sophia didn’t say anything.

Brandon didn’t speak, just silently trailed behind her all the way to her apartment door.

Finally, Sophia couldn’t bear it and turned hesitantly. “Do you need something?”

Brandon said, “No”

Sophia was silent

“Got any food at home?

Sophia couldn’t help but remind him, “You know, we’re divorced.”

“Can’t an old friend swing by for a meal?”

Sophia was speechless, hesitatingly unlocking the door.

Brandon noticed the bulb in her hand, his brows knitting slightly. “Light’s out?”

Sophia nodded. “Yeah, the bathroom bulb burned out.”

Brandon reached out. “Give it here.”

“It’s okay, I can do it.”

Sophia’s refusal was cut short as Brandon had already taken the bulb from her.

He glanced at the bathroom fixture, grabbed a chair from the hallway, and stood on it, easily reaching the light. Sophia, worried about electrical hazards, said, “I’ll go turn off the power,” and shut off the circuit breaker, plunging the room into darkness.

She turned on her phone’s flashlight to help him see. “Can you see alright?

“Yeah.” Brandon’s deep, steady voice came from above as he skillfully removed the old bulb.

Sophia had never seen Brandon change a bulb before, but it seemed like smart folks have a knack for figuring things out. His movements were smooth and decisive, a sort of effortless cool. Sophia’s eyes drifted from his hands to his face, his sharp profile silhouetted against the light, intense and focused.

She watched, transfixed.

Brandon quickly finished the job and stepped down from the chair. Sophia was still staring, caught off guard by his gaze. She awkwardly tugged at her lips, stepping back to put some distance between them.

Brandon’s gaze shifted from her retreating legs to her face, lingering on her eyes, yet he said nothing.

His silence made Sophia feel even more uncomfortable.

“I go check if the light’s working now.”

With that, she turned to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught, her phone dropped, and a light filled the room.

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat, and before she knew it, Brandon had pulled her in front of him.

She looked up in a panic, and his hand smoothly slid from her wrist to wrap tightly around her waist, while his other hand fell to the back of her head, lifting her face towards his. His crisp breath closed in, and Brandon sealed her lips with a

Chapter

kiss.

Sophia instinctively tried to push him away.

The hands around her waist and the back of her skull suddenly lightened, and Brandon deepened the kiss with an undeniable assertiveness.

Sophia couldn’t resist

Heavy breathing began to fill the cramped space.

Brandon pushed Sophia against the wall, kissing her somewhat fiercely.

Sophia had rarely seen Brandon so rough and domineering, his demeanor tinged with a desperate emotion she couldn’t quite understand Confused, but without a chance to delve deeper, the kiss became more intense, teetering on the edge of losing control, when the piercing ringtone of the cellphone shattered the room’s intimacy.

Brandon abruptly stopped, keeping her from seeing his face, and pressed her cheek against his collarbone.

Sophia could clearly sense his breathing slowly stabilizing.

Brandon let her go, turned to pick up the ringing phone for the second time, and handed it to her.

“Thanks.” Sophia said softly, not looking up at him, just silently taking the phone and answering it, her hand covering the device as she turned away, Hello, who’s this?”

Brandon glanced at her before heading to the electrical switch by the door.

Sophia couldn’t help but glance at his retreating figure as a female voice came through the phone. “Is this Sophia Yearwood?”

Sophia’s attention was momentarily pulled back. “Yes, that’s me. Who’s this?”

“Ms. Yearwood, congratulations on your acceptance into the School of Architecture at Apex Engineering University.”

Sophia was stunned for a moment, then joy spread rapidly. “Really?”

The jubilant voice caused Brandon to turn and look at her once more.

Sophia, a bit embarrassed, suppressed her excitement and thanked the caller before hanging up. She opened her email on the phone and indeed found the acceptance letter.

Joy surged through her veins, and she wanted to let it out. Looking up to see Brandon watching her, she pressed down the feeling again, embarrassed.

“What happened?” Brandon asked, reaching for the electrical switch.

Sophia shook her head slightly. “Nothing, just some work stuff.”

“Work?” Brandon frowned, he had never seen her so thrilled about work, “You’re lying to me.”

Busted, Sophia hesitated, “It’s about my studies. I got accepted into Apex Engineering University.”

Brandon’s frown deepened. “Applying to university isn’t something you do overnight. How long have you been preparing?

Sophia bit her lip. “Six months.”

Brandon’s expression softened. “So, you’ve been planning to divorce for half a year now, right?”

Sophia pressed her lips together, silent.

Indeed, it was half a year ago that she had begun to entertain the idea of divorce. It was then that she applied to the School of Architecture at Apex Engineering University, hoping to pick up where her life plan had been interrupted by pregnancy and marriage.

She had studied architectural design in college and had always intended to further her studies: But her family wasn’t well-off and wouldn’t support such endeavors, so she started side hustles from her freshman year to save money

well in those years, saved a decent amount, and if it hadn’t been for that one night at a class reunion, where the

Chapter 3

got carried away with Brandon, ended up pregnant, she would have graduated on time.

But that night took her life on a detour, turning her from an enthusiastic career newbie full of passion for life into a weak, self-doubting housewife, struggling daily with domestic chores and disdain from Brandon’s family. She didn’t want to live like that anymore.

Her silence was an admission.

Brandon turned his face away, coldly

“I see. He said. “I wish you all the best.”

Then he opened the door, ready to leave.

“Brandon. Sophia called out to him without thinking

Brandon’s steps halted, but he didn’t turn around.

That day at your place, I overheard the argument between you and your dad in the study,” Sophia said softly, “It was after that day that I decided to get a divorce.”

Brandon suddenly turned to look at her.