The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

Watching the young couples strolling affectionately around the mall, Brandon seemed a bit spaced out.

Maybe Theresa wasn't too keen on this vibe either. The place was crawling with kiddos being held by their moms or carried for a

shopping spree.

Brandon couldn't help but notice Theresa's face shift from calm to envy and then to loss. That was exactly why he was reluctant to

bring her out.

But like Susan said, this was an inevitable part of Theresa's future. Whether she was heading out or off to school, she was gonna

be surrounded by kids with their moms. He couldn't keep her in a bubble just because he was scared of her feeling down.

Susan caught the look of longing and sadness on Theresa's little face, too. She tried to cheer her up with a grin, “Sweetie, let's go

score you sfancy threads.”

She kept it light and playful, really trying to lift her spirits. Theresa glanced at Susan but hesitated and shook her head, turning

back to look at Brandon.

Brandon cracked a smile at her, “How about we go pick out sNew Year's paintings first? It's the festive season, and we gotta

deck out the place. I'm clueless about this stuff. Wanna give your daddy a hand?”

The gloom that was hanging over Theresa instantly lifted, and she nodded eagerly, “Okay!”

She wriggled out of Brandon's arms and tugged at his hand towards the supermarket.

Susan, seeing a bit of lifee back into Theresa's face, felt a twinge of relief. Gotta hand it to Brandon, he was her real deal dad,

and just like Sophia, he had a knack for tuning into Theresa's every whim.

At the thought of Sophia, a wave of sadness hit Susan. This was supposed to be their first New Year as a family of three, but.

That sadness made her heart ache for Theresa even more. No dad before, and now no mom. Kent caught the sorrowful look Susan

had for Theresa and nudged her with his elbow, e on. Adults need tto adjust, kids even more so.”

“| just feel for her, you know?” Susan murmured, not snapping back at him this time, but heading over to catch up with Theresa.

Theresa got all serious about picking out the decorations, totally wrapped up in helping Brandon choose the right New Year's

paintings. Her little face began to show signs of busyness and anticipation, asking Brandon for approval on various pieces, totally

engrossed in the activity.

Brandon wasn't really into the whole New Year's decor thing, but as Theresa laid out her vision for the place, his heart felt like it

was being pricked by needles.

He remembered his first year married to Sophia, how she'd been just like Theresa, asking his opinion on every little detail around

the house. Back then, he just wasn't into it and would simply nod and say, “Sure, whatever you decide.”

That indifference slowly snuffed out the spark in her eyes. He even recalled the details of the outings with Theresa after he'd

recognized her as his daughter.

Every time, he'd respond to Theresa's excitement and anticipation with gentle patience. Occasionally, when he looked up, he'd

catch Sophia staring at them, a mix of motherly pride and a hint of subtle loss in her eyes.

The loss in her eyes probably stemmed from remembering his past indifference towards her. The sscenes, but with such a

different attitude, must have made Sophia feel unimportant, like only the child mattered.

Sophia must have been hurting and feeling lost.

"We always seemed so close, yet there was always this mountain range between us, impossible to bridge.

| tried to enter your world once, but | just couldn't find the way in.

| have a family, yet | don't. All my life, I've wanted to feel loved, whether by family or a husband. It feels like life is about

experiencing what you've never had, and consequently | cling too much to the idea of love."

Sophia's letter, written with such determination but never sent, resurfaced in Brandon's mind as he reached for a painting, and his

movements froze.

"Dad?" Theresa looked at him, puzzled.

Kent and Susan also turned their gazes to Brandon in confusion; they discerned Brandon's reddened eyes with tears welling up,

and his being absent-minded. Brandon's suddenly bing beyond himself made Kent and Susan exchange astonished glance at

each other.

"Mr. Crawley?" Kent called out to him, concerned.

Brandon turned his face away slightly. Without a word, he just silently handed the painting to Theresa, squatting down, looking at

her apologetically and sadly.

Theresa was at a loss.

"Dad?" She called out, anxious.

Brandon managed a strained smile, quietly stroking her hair. It took a moment for his teary eyes to meet hers again. In a hoarse

voice, he said, “I'm okay, sweetheart. | just suddenly remembered your mom, remembered how | never treated her right.”

He always made a point to share his feelings openly with Theresa, unlike themunication he never had with Sophia.

But those had never happened between him and Sophia while they weremunicating. She was the one who deserved this kind

of openness the most.

Brandon couldn't imagine how she coped with the repeated hope and disappointment tand tagain.

The more hepared and reminisced, the redder his eyes got, even his Adam's apple quivered as he fought to keep his emotions

in check.

Theresa, not understanding Brandon's inner turmoil, reassured him in her childlike voice, "It's okay; mom's fine. She won't be mad

at you."

Her words, meant tofort, cut deep into Brandon's heart. He held Theresa tight, without uttering a single word.

Susan looked at Brandon with a whirlwind of emotions. Her words dredged up all the unworthiness of Sophia, stirring up a mix of

anger and resentment towards Brandon. Yet, seeing him like this, she couldn't bring herself to lash out at him, all while feeling a

surge of frustration with nowhere to vent.

"You're just realizing this now? What's the point when she's already gone?" Susan couldn't help but roar at Brandon, her eyes

welling up with tears as she did so. Remembering the disappointment, sadness, and grievances Sophia had faced after marrying

Brandon made her heartache for her once more.

Seeing Brandon already in such agony, Kent quickly grabbed Susan and whispered to calm her down, "Let it be; Mr. Crawley is

already in a bad place."

"He deserves it!" Susan spat out bitterly. But at her core, she wasn’t heartless. After venting, she couldn't help but worry and sneak

a glance at Brandon, afraid that the provocation might push him over the edge. Since Sophia’s accident, he had been in an

abnormal state, tense as a tightly wound string.

She feared that if the string ever snapped, Brandon would be gone too.