Chapter 54


    Aside from scooching over a tad when she sat down, all polite and proper, Sophia didn’t make any


    move to chat him up during the whole dinner.


    After the meal, the guys were all jockeying to escort the girls home.


    Sophia had that girl-next-door charm, soft-spoken and serene, the kind of gal guys used to fall over


    themselves to please back in the school days, and that night was no different.


    Among the eager beaverds vying to take her home, Brandon piped up, “I live over in West district


    too. I can give you a lift on my way.”


    He clearly caught the surprise on her face, but Sophia was never one to put someone out. She thanked


    him and turned down the lift, saying she’d called a cab. But her refusal seemed feeble against the


    backdrop of her enthusiastic ssmates, and in the end, she gave in and got into his car after a bit of


    friendly arm-twisting.


    The ride was light on conversation.


    Back in the day, they had all those unspoken understandings, even a sort of tacit closeness and


    reliance, but after a few years apart, there was a certain awkwardness. Yet, that awkwardness turned


    into a torrent of intense and fatal attraction the moment they bumped into each other in the dark of her


    room.


    He kissed her, and then things spiraled out of control.


    He wasn’t the type to do things on a whim, and neither was Sophia, but that night was the start of a


    chaos for both of them.


    Desire overrode all sense of reason.


    Memories of that night flooded back, and Brandon couldn’t help but steal a nce at Sophia.


    She was still watching the young couple goofing around, a soft smile on her calm and gentle face, just


    enjoying the show.


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    Brandon thought about what she’d said he wanted marriage, but she wanted love.


    “Is that what you call love?” he blurted out, looking at her suddenly.


    Sophia turned in surprise, not expecting Brandon to notice these things.


    She always thought it odd to hear “love” from Brandon, who had always seemed immune to all things


    romantic since she’d known him.


    “Why would you bring that up out of the blue?” she asked with augh, “Doesn’t sound like you.”


    Brandon just chuckled and didn’t reply, his gaze shifting back to the yful couple.


    It really wasn’t like him.


    He could never be like those young guys, making silly faces to get augh from their girls.


    He’d never had that yful, childlike side.


    He knew how to protect someone but never quite learned how to make someone happy.


    His eyes wandered back to Sophia. In many ways, she was like him – both reserved and a bit cool.


    They would’ve been better off with partners who were more outgoing, someone to spice up life and


    bring the cheer. That’s why her choice to divorce was the right call for both of them.


    Sophia noticed his gaze and turned towards him, “What’s up?”


    “Nothing,” Brandon said softly, still fixating on her face, “Just suddenly thought maybe you were right


    about the divorce.”


    She looked back at him quietly and smiled, “So, are you ready to let me go?”


    He met her gaze silently, his eyes deep.


    His mind said it was the right decision for both, but his heart surged with resistance and displeasure at


    her words.


    Brandon had always been rational and was never one to make life tough for others or force them into


    anything. So when Sophia mentioned divorce, he didn’t overthink it and agreed right away.


    To him, they were both adults, entitled to choose their paths and brave enough to stand by their


    decisions. If Sophia wanted a divorce, he assumed she’d thought it through, and he didn’t want to


    stand in her way.


    But now, talking about letting go was just as much a considered decision.


    And Brandon didn’t want to think about it rationally.


    “I don’t n to, he said, his voice still low and even, his gaze never leaving her face.


    Sophia gave her habitualugh, her eyelids drooping slightly, not pressing the issue. As long as their


    kid was in the picture, there was no room for this conversation.


    A chill breeze swept over theke, carrying the cold dampness of deep autumn and rustling leaves


    toward them. Sophia’s softly curled hair fluttered in the wind, and she sneezed.


    Without thinking, Brandon cupped her ears with his hands, his body angling to shield her from the wind.


    “Are you cold?” he asked, his hands gently rubbing hers.


    His palms were warm and dry, and the spots he covered felt tinglingly hot.


    Sophia vaguely remembered, back when they first got together, Brandon had this same thoughtful side.


    But with their hectic work schedules, dwindlingmunication, fewer outings, and family interference


    piling up, she almost forgot this side of Brandon as the disappointment with marriage grew, along with


    nostalgia for her single days before.


    Seeing her daydreaming, Brandon thought she was cold. He spotted a stall selling scarves and hats up


    ahead, draped his jacket over her, and said, “Back in a sec,” before heading to the stall behind her.


    Sophia looked back in a daze, watching him swiftly buy a beige knit hat and a matching scarf, then


    walk back towards her.


    He stood before her and adjusted her tousled hair with tender care.


    She looked up at him, and he was half-closed his eyes, his handsome face as calm andposed as


    ever, his expression serious and focused as he fitted her with the hat and scarf. Only when he was


    done did his deep eyes finally meet hers.


    “Better now?”