The Indifferent Ex-Husband Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate

"Something up?" Brandon asked, his voice sounding worn out.

"I'm getting discharged tomorrow." Daniel announced, his authoritative family patriarch vibe coming back as if on cue now that he

was back in fighting form, "Make stto pickup."

But this time, Brandon didn't snap back at him or calmly make arrangements like he used to. He just hummed a vague

acknowledgment, his exhaustion seeming to deepen, his whole demeanor listless and flat.

Daniel was taken aback, "What's up with you? You sound beat."

Brandon didn't respond, and just let his gaze wander out the window, staring into the vast night.

"Brandon?" Daniel called out, a bit unsure now, a sense of panic creeping up on him for no good reason.

He'd watched Brandon grow up and had never seen him like this.

Brandon was always composed and reliable, the kind of guy who made one feel like even if the sky fell, he'd be there to catch it.

In his mind, his son was always bursting with energy, always cool as a cucumber, always invincible.

It was like he never got tired, never wore out, and never let anything or anyone get to him. Always on top of things, his mood as

stable as a rock, not like the average Joe.

So in his fixed view, Daniel never worried about Brandon. In fact, when stuff hit the fan, his first instinct was to go to him.

Brandon was like a guardian deity to everyone around him.

Deities didn't have emotions or needs that he has to consider. These thoughts flickered through Daniel's mind, but the other end of

the phone remained silent.

"Brandon?" He raised his voice just a notch, careful not to sound too harsh.

He would have preferred Brandon to be like he was in the office, fiercely warning him not to do this or that, rather than seeing him

so drained and lifeless now.

Yeah, lifeless. Daniel felt that was the right word. Brandon seemed utterly devoid of life tonight.

And when that word, which should never apply to Brandon, suddenly did, Daniel felt a bit lost.

"Brandon," he tried to soften his tone, trying to coax him, "something's up, isn't it? If something's bothering you, just talk to us.

Don't shoulder it all alone."

Brandon's eyes, fixed on the night, flickered. He glanced down at the phone that showed Daniel's call.

He couldn't recall a twhen Daniel had ever spoken to him with such guarded care and concern, not even when he was a kid.

Their family's way was to be tough as nails and strong as steel. Showing vulnerability was not an emotion they allowed. So this

kind of care and concern was something Daniel never showed.

Daniel always spoke from a high ground, criticizing him, making demands, making plans for him. Even though Daniel had no real

power in the family, his insistence on a father's authority was unshakable.

"Brandon?" Daniel's voice beceven softer and more worried at the lack of response.

Brandon didn't answer; he just let his fingers absently stroke the edge of the phone, his expression thoughtful.

Turned out, Daniel was able to worry his feelings.

"Brandon?"

Daniel called out again, urgency creeping into his voice as he turned to Yvonne, "Yvonne, go check on your brother, will you? See if

he's run into strouble."

"What kind of trouble could he be in?" Yvonne was dismissive, sharing Daniel's perception. To her, Brandon had always been

indestructible and aloof.

His silence was just because he was busy, not because he was tired or in trouble.

But Daniel seemed stuck on the possibility, urging her, "I can tell something's off with his mood. He's never been like this, and he's

been silent too long. Go check on him. What if there's a problem at the company? I'm worried he might not be able to handle it."

"That's impossible. Even if the company was in trouble, my brother would just be figuring out how to fix it, not moping around

wasting time. He's tough as nails; even his divorce didn't faze him, let alone company troubles," her voice trailed off, worried

Brandon might overhear. In her eyes, a divorce was a bigger deal than any company issue, and Brandon hadn't seemed affected

by it in years, so company problems were even less likely. Dad, relax. Anyone might have a breakdown, but not my brother. He's

unshakeable." Yvonne reassured Daniel, "He's probably just busy, too busy to bother with you. You know how he is, always too

swamped even to chome."

Daniel glanced at her, slightly persuaded.

"Maybe you're right." He said, still unsure as he called through the phone, "Brandon?"

"I'm fine."

Brandon finally spoke up, but his voice lacked the control and calm that everyone was used to. It wasn't spirited; it was even more

lifeless than before.

"Is there any problem with the company?" Daniel asked, worried.

"No."

Brandon's tone was still lifeless, "Is there something you need?"

"Nothing. Just wanted to let you know I'm getting discharged tomorrow."

Daniel's tone softened too, his usual haughtiness nowhere to be found, "Are you free tomorrow?"

Even his question had a hint of asking rather than telling. This was not how Daniel used to operate. He only ever informed and

demanded.

Maybe his recent brush with death had given him sperspective, or perhaps Brandon's state when he picked up the phone had

sparked srare paternal feelings. He didn't press the issue, just followed Daniel's lead and addressed his concern in a lifeless

tone, "I'll pick you up tomorrow. Gotta hang up now."

With that, he ended the call.

Listening to the busy line, Daniel turned to Yvonne, still worried, "Maybe you should go check on your brother after all."

Yvonne couldn't get a read on what Brandon was like on the other end of the phone, but Daniel's reaction was off the charts.

As Daniel's daughter, she hardly ever saw him go soft and show concern for anyone. The man was a strict dad through and

through.

Broke or not, without a dto his nor any clout, that didn't stop him from playing the tough father figure in their lives.

Living half a lifetunder the thumb of a domineering dad, Daniel, as a father himself, was super keen on keeping his patriarchal

status at hin check.

"What is going on with Brandon?" Yvonne couldn't help but worry as she pressed him for answers.

"Your brother's not in the right state." Daniel said, "He's lost his spark."

The gears in Yvonne's head, usually filled with thoughts of love and marriage, immediately turned to Sophia, "Could it be

something with my sister-in-law? Is Sophia leaving, and now Brandon's heartbroken, feeling like there's nothing left to live for?"

"No way!" Daniel shot her down without a second thought, "What's so special about that woman that your brother would be beside

himself over her. And don't think your brother is like you, always with nothing but romance on the brain."

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