The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

"Guess we might as well send Augus and Cindy off together, eh?"

Don mulled it over and said to Sophia, "Cindy's been under your wing all this time, knows the ins and outs of the project best. She

was the go-to person anyway, and this could be a great chance for her to cut her teeth. Augus is a big, strapping guy - not only

can he help Cindy get to grips with the project, but he also brings a bit of muscle, could be handy for keeping the girl safe."

"Huh?" Cindy piped up, a touch of nerves in her voice, "lI can't do it, I've never handled this project solo, and heck, I've never set

foot on a construction site. | don't have a clue how to deal with it all, really should be shadowing a supervisor first tround to

get the hang of things. | need Director Yearwood."

Don was in a bit of a pickle.

Cindy had a point.

The project was Sophia's baby, cooked up before she jetted back home. Cindy hadn't been in the mix back then and didn't have

her fingers in the whole pie.

Sure, there were minor tweaks before finalizing, but nothing major. Cindy's slice of the action was thin, and with zero field

experience, she wasn't primed to tackle any curveballs.

Sophia could see Don's dilemma clear as day.

"I should go," she suggested. "I've been at the helm of this project the whole time. One look on-site and I'd spot any snags in a

heartbeat. Cindy and Augus might not be able to make head or tail of it."

Don was all for Sophia stepping in. She was like the rock that steadied the ship in stormy seas, the project was etched into her gray

matter. With her around, there wasn't a problem that couldn't be squashed.

The real kicker was the length of the business trip - he was worried Brandon might have his head for this.

"Let's give Cindy and Augus a shot first. If that flops, you'll swoop in."

Don made the call at last, turning to Sophia, "We've got our plates full with projects here, stick around for now."

Sophia gave him a glance and nodded lightly, "Alright."

She didn't push back.

With the Zenithan-style resort project on fast forward, Cindy and Augus got their gear together post-meeting and hit the road that

safternoon.

Sophia stayed put at the office, though her to-do list was pretty light.

Her itch to go on the trip wasn't just spur-of-the-moment - she'd nurtured the project from the drawing board to the final draft. She

had skin in the gand couldn't bear to let go.

Cindy had dipped her toes in too, but her experience was a drop in the bucket, and as a greenhorn designer, her voice might not

carry much weight.

On the flip side, Sophia was keen on sbreathing room from Brandon, a little break for both of them. But then again, she

couldn't bear the thought of leaving Theresa behind, so she never stood her ground on going.

Cquitting time, Sophia was out the door on the dot, not waiting for Brandon.

And Brandon didn't seek her out like he usually did.

But, as fate would have it, they both arrived haround the stime.

Ever since Brandon found out Theresa was his girl, his overthad beca thing of the past, clocking out as regular as

clockwork.

Sophia and Brandon didn't share an elevator, but their exits synchronized.

When he caught sight of her, Brandon's gaze hitched for a second before sliding away, nonchalantly heading for his front door.

Silent as a shadow, Sophia followed suit.

"Free tonight?"

As he fiddled with the keys, Brandon's voice cut through the silence, cool as a cucumber, "Theresa's been hankering for the kiddie

park."

Sophia gave a small nod, "Yeah."

Ever since Theresa got a 'yes-man' for a dad, her wish was his command. Whatever she wanted, she'd take straight to Brandon.

He nodded back, wordless, and let them in.

Theresa, all snug inside, beamed at the sight of mom and dad together, and with a gleeful "Mommy! Daddy!" she launched into

their arms.

Brandon scooped her up, his usual frostiness melting into that tender look he saved just for her, eyes warming up too.

Sophia felt a weird twinge in her nose, seeing Theresa's world revolve around Brandon. She kept mum and made a beeline for the

kitchen to help whip up dinner with the nutritionist.

Brandon's gaze lingered on her retreating figure, weighing heavy for a long stretch before he forced himself to look away.

Dinner was a silent affair, much like the night before, except for the bubbly Theresa.

Knowing a trip to the park was on the cards after supper, Theresa was buzzing with excitement, eager to wrap up and head out.

Brandon, ever the gentle soul, made sure she ate her fill before getting her ready to go, then joined Sophia to escort their little

bundle of joy.

Along the way, the parents traded the occasional word, but it was all small talk about Theresa, nothing else. They kept things cool

and polite.

It felt like a throwback to over two years ago, but not quite the same.

At the kiddie park, it was mostly Brandon doing the entertaining.

When it cto Theresa, his patience and tenderness were boundless.

He was a great dad.

A heck of a lot better than Sophia ever imagined - by a long shot.

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMwWLHIOfiflO&1

MMMWWLIIOAIfO&L

mmMyWL11I01F1081

mMMwWLIIOfiflO&1