Chapter 39

His phone rang at that very moment. "Sweetheart" flashed across the phone screen on the table as Charlene looked over. By now, she expected to be over it. But could she really leave this relationship as if it didn't exist after years of giving her all? She instantly averted her gaze as the phrase stung her eyes. Thome saw the intense agony in Charlene's eyes as he glanced up, yet he answered the phone without hesitation in front of her, asking in a quiet voice, "What's up?" Jasmine saw the disturbance on Thorne's end as well.According to her recollection, Thome only shown this compassionate side when speaking with Vesta. "Dad, is it Ms. Hawkins?

" she inquired enthusiastically, forgetting Charlene was present. With a gentle tone, Thorne said, "Yeah." Jasmine was going to mention that she wanted to speak with Vesta as well, but she swallowed her words when she realized that Charlene was present and that Charlene disliked Vesta. However, her positive attitude was impacted. She scowled a little, hoping Charlene and Vesta would get along. Thorne frowned with alarm at whatever Vesta said, and he hurried out without finishing his breakfast.

As Jasmine saw Thorne hurry off, she began to worry. She didn't express her worries, though, because Charlene was present. "Mommy, I'm done eating," she said, pulling Charlene to her feet as she lost her appetite. Let's go." After seeing Jasmine's behavior, Charlene realized she was in a hurry to see how Vesta was doing. However, she remained silent. You haven't eaten much at all. Bring some for the vehicle."Jasmine said no. "No, I'm not hungry—" Charlene hesitated. She didn't make any more demands. Jasmine didn't wait another second in the automobile.

As soon as she sat in the backseat, she immediately texted Vesta. Charlene looked but said nothing. Vesta responded to them a little later, stating that there was nothing to be concerned about—just a slight temperature and cold. But when Jasmine heard Vesta's rather raspy voice over the messages, she became alarmed and promptly responded that she would stop by after school. Jasmine felt bad about sending the message. She had intended to spend supper with Charlene, whose food she hadn't had in a long time.

Luckily, she hadn't brought it up yet.Jasmine was relieved when she glanced across at Charlene in the driver's seat and saw that she hadn't seen. When they got to school, Jasmine gave Charlene a big embrace. "Mom, I'm heading in now." "Okay." Jasmine walked inside school without seeing how frigid Charlene's response was.The appointment was rescheduled from 10 a.m. to the afternoon after Charlene got a note at the office claiming Thorne had an urgent problem. The "urgent matter" for Thorne was tending to the ailing Vest. a. Charlene remained silent and concentrated on her task.

Josh instructed her to get Thorne a cup of coffee and scheduled a meeting at 3 p.m., so Thorne must have returned to the office about 2 p.m. Charlene's typing stopped when Thorne walked into the conference room. He was dressed differently. No, not the morning ones. In the morning, he had gone to Vesta. Thorne may have just tried to reassure Vesta, maybe even sleeping next to her to help her fall asleep, regardless of what transpired between them. She briefly lost consciousness with that thinking. She thought she was having an improper daydream about Thorne, and when she woke up, Thorne was staring at her icily.

The idea of his tenderness with Vesta and his cold, impatient treatment of her made Charlene's fist clench. She turned away in a hurry. Josh stopped by shortly after the meeting to inform her that she wouldn't need to come into the office the next day because her transition work was almost finished. In response, Charlene said, "I understand." After completing her responsibilities, she would have gone up to Josh even if he hadn't said it. She avoided the trip thanks to his presence. Josh was shocked by Charlene's willingness to cooperate. 00.51