Chapter 3

Thome and Jasmine arrived home soon after nine o'clock. Jasmine held onto her father's shirt tightly. She walked slowly as she exited the vehicle. Her mother was there, so she didn't want to return home. Yet, Vesta had informed her that Charlene had come specifically to see her and her father. Charlene would be devastated if they simply stayed out. Thome had added that Charlene would accompany them on their boating excursion tomorrow if they didn't return home tonight. She reluctantly consented to go back. "Dad, what if Mommy insists on coming with us tomorrow?" she said, still worried. "It won't happen," stated Thorne confidently.

Charlene constantly looked for opportunities to spend more time with him over their years of marriage, but she was wise enough to back off if he expressed a need for privacy. Charlene always listened to Thorne, according to Jasmine's recollection. It most definitely wouldn't happen if he stated it wouldn't. Jasmine's attitude improved, finally feeling relieved. She told Latonia she would take a shower as she bounded inside the home. "All right," Latonia said. Keeping in mind Charlene's directions She presented an envelope to Thorne. Mrs.

Henderson wanted me to present this to you, Mr. Henderson. "Thome accepted it and said nonchalantly, "Where is she?" Around midday, she packed things and departed. Did you not know? On his way upstairs, Thome stopped and turned around. "She left?" Latonia gave a nod. "Yes." Thorne didn't really care that Charlene hadn't told him why she had come to Goldland. He was also not bothered by the fact that she was gone. When Jasmine heard that, she was taken aback and felt a little sad. She reasoned that having her mother around in the evening would be pleasant.

particularly if her mother did not accompany them on their excursion the following day. She had thought her mother would help her finish, because polishing shells usually pained her hands. It had been months since Thorne and Charlene last saw one another. Despite traveling this far, Charlene had not even seen Thorne. "Mr. Henderson, Mrs. Henderson seemed upset when she left," Latonia said, recalling Charlene's dissatisfied look as she departed. She appeared to be upset. "At first, Latonia had assumed Charlene had pressing matters to handle back home. Then she realized something was wrong, that Thorne was unaware of her homecoming. "Angry?" Charlene has always been really kind and patient with me.

Whoa, she's capable of anger? It's the first time. With a flippant laugh, Thorne hardly acknowledged Latonia before making his way upstairs. He had just entered his room and opened Charlene's letter when Vesta called. He picked up the envelope, dropped it carelessly, and walked out of the room. The envelope dropped to the bedside floor. That night, Thorne did not return home. When Latonia arrived the next day to tidy up, she noticed the envelope on the ground and knew it was the same one Charlene had given her for Thorne the day before. She put it carelessly in an adjacent cabinet, assuming Thorne had read it.

Charlene immediately went to her room to pack after landing. She just grabbed a few clothes, personal belongings, and her work books, despite having a lot of stuff and having lived there for six years. Thorne had always supported her and Jasmine by making monthly deposits into two different accounts. She had one, and Jasmine had the other. Charlene, however, seldom touched Jasmine's account and typically used her card for purchases. Furthermore, she was unable to resist purchasing items for Chim whenever she went shopping and spotted items that might fit Thorne, such as ties, shoes, cufflinks, and clothing.