Chapter 73
Brandon stood in the middle of the paternity test center’s lobby, staring blankly at the bustling staff and clients, feeling a weariness and emptiness like never before.
It was like the beliefs that had propped him up inside just crumbled in an instant, leaving him totally lost.
Then, among all those unfamiliar faces, Brandon spotted Martin on the phone, clutching a folded-up paternity test report.
Martin saw him too, his face just as composed.
Neither of them said hello.
Brandon didn’t greet him either. His gaze lingered on the DNA report in Martin’s hand for a moment before calmly shifting away. After a brief silence, he asked, “Need a lift?”
“No, I’m good,” Martin smiled and declined. “My grandpa and my parents are in town, at the airport. I’m heading there to pick them up.” Brandon nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
“Brandon,” Martin called after him, “why don’t you join us at the airport? You haven’t seen them in a while.”
“No need, I’ve got things to do, Brandon declined.
Martin nodded, not pressing any further.
When Brandon got home, Sophia was sketching design drawings in the living room.
It wasn’t homework or work. She was just doodling in her free time.
She sat in front of her easel on the balcony, wielding her drawing pen with ease, her long curly hair pinned up behind her head, her side-swept bangs curling softly against her cheek. Bathed in the light and shadows, her face was tranquil and gentle, her expression serious and focused.
Brandon remembered she was always like this. Whether she was frustrated or just bored, once she sat in front of her canvas, her whole demeanor would become serene, blending perfectly with her surroundings.
She was used to entertaining herself, always finding ways to be happy without relying on anyone else’s emotional support or pep talks. She’d long since reached a point where she didn’t need anybody.
This kind of clear-headed independence came from balancing herself amidst a long-standing absence of familial warmth.
But as a child, Yolanda was the darling that everyone doted on, so she learned to depend on people, to trust them, and to use her little bit of strength to warm others.
Sophia turned around and spotted Brandon, who was silently watching her with a calm yet wooden expression, filled with a hint of regret and nostalgia, as well as a faint, indescribable conflict.
She noticed the A4 paper in his hand, her gaze pausing briefly on it before looking back at Brandon with a small smile, “Back already?”
Brandon just looked at her for a while before nodding softly, “Yeah.”
He then asked, “Have you eaten?”
Sophia nodded gently, “Yeah, just had something. You?”
“I’ve had something too.”
He shifted the DNA test results in his hand, offering them to her, but Sophia pushed them back.
She smiled, “I’ve got to get to class.”
Brandon gave her a look, nodded quietly, “I’ll drive you.”
He tucked the report away.
On the way to school, neither of them spoke.
They each had their own silences.
When the car stopped at the school, Sophia finally turned to Brandon with a smile, “I’m off to class.”
Brandon nodded slightly, watching her get out of the car before he too got out and followed her to the classroom door.
At the entrance of the building, buzzing with people, Brandon saw Louis and Martin, along with Martin’s parents.
There were also Brandon’s father, Daniel Crawley, and mother, Patricia Crawley.
They were fussing over a bewildered Marian, their eyes red and teary, hesitant to touch her
Martin stood on the outskirts of the group, watching the tears in their eyes, especially Louis’s, but his expression wasn’t as animated as
the others’. He just looked on dispassionately, his gaze fixed on Marian.
Brandon saw the apology in his eyes.
His gaze drifted to Sophia.
Sophia was also watching this scene, her expression a mix of shock and subtle relief.
She turned back to Brandon with a small smile, “Congrats, huh?”
Brandon just stared at her.
Her smile stiffened slightly.
But Brandon didn’t look away. His gaze was as calm as it was cruel.
“Sophia, there’s no Yolanda in this world anymore.” He stared at her, his voice barely above a whisper, eerily calm yet tinged with a profound sadness.
Sophia didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt very sad, just looking at him.
“I lost her, she’s never coming back.”
He looked at her, speaking softly, word by word. Then, amidst her daze, he stepped forward, gently hugged her, and slowly let go.
“Go on,” he tapped her shoulder and said softly.
