chapter 2

Charlene's birthday had slipped his mind entirely. Though she had prepared herself for disappointment, Charlene nevertheless felt a twinge of regret. She was about to go downstairs after getting dressed for the day when she heard Jasmine and their nanny, Latonia, engaged in a conversation. "How are things going, my love?" You seem a little depressed," Latonia asked, her voice laced with worry.

"I was really looking forward to hitting the beach with Ms. Hawkins tomorrow," was Jasmine's somber response. I had everything planned with Dad. It would be a little odd if Mom joined us now that she's suddenly arrived. And Mom treats Ms. Hawkins so badly all the time." "Honey, she's your mom," Latonia remarked. That's not the right way to speak. She might be offended by it. "I understand, but Ms. Hawkins is more appealing to Dad and me. Is it not possible for Ms. Hawkins to be my mother? After that, Charlene was unable to discern Latonia's reaction. She had shown Jasmine all the affection a mother could provide.

However, with her husband, Thorne, spending more time with Jasmine over the last two years, the father-daughter relationship appeared to have strengthened. Jasmine insisted on accompanying Thome when he relocated to Goldland last year in order to grow his business. Charlene was devastated and had thought Jasmine would want to stay with her. However, she accepted since she couldn't bear the idea of Jasmine being sad.

Then...Jasmine's comments pulled Charlene down and rooted her to the spot, causing her to freeze and grow pale. In an attempt to spend more time with Jasmine, she had taken time off work to travel to Goldland. But at the time, it seemed completely useless. Charlene went back to her room and carefully packed her luggage with the presents she had brought from home. After taking the youngster out, Latonia called later to let Charlene know to get in touch if she needed anything. A sensation of emptiness overcame Charlene as she sat on the bed.

After embarking on this journey and quitting her work, she came to the conclusion that they didn't require her. It seemed like a joke having her around. After a while, she walked out of the home and explored this unfamiliar yet familiar place. She didn't realize she had scheduled lunch with Thorne until almost noon. She thought about the talk from the morning, but she wasn't sure if she should go back and involve her daughter when Thorne's message appeared. [An issue has emerged. I must postpone lunch. It did not surprise Charlene.

This was nothing new to her. Thorne believed that everything, including social events and his job, was more significant than his wife. Without taking into account her sentiments, he would abruptly cancel their arrangements. Was it painful? Perhaps it did. Charlene, however, was numb right now and unaffected by the letdown. Charlene was much more disoriented. Eager and expectant, she had traveled this far only to find her husband and daughter uninterested. Before she knew it, she was outside a restaurant that she and Thorne frequently visited. She saw Thorne, Vesta Hawkins, and Jasmine sitting comfortably together inside as she was about to go in. Vesta was interacting affectionately with their daughter, laughing and nibbling on her

while Thorne watched lovingly, his gaze seeming focused just on Vesta. Thus, this was Thorne's primary concern. And there was their daughter, born of Charlene's blood, having fun with another woman. Charlene gave a sour laugh. After observing them for a little while longer, she turned and left. Charlene drafted a divorce decree back at the villa. She had grown up dreaming about Thorne, but he had never given a damn about her.

He wouldn't have married her if it weren't for the error of that one night and the pressure from their families. She had foolishly believed that if she worked hard enough, he would eventually notice her. But she had been hit hard by reality. Nearly seven years had passed. The moment has come to awaken. She instructed Latonia to give the divorce documents to Thorne after placing them in an envelope. Then Charlene told the driver, "Take me to the airport," while carrying her luggage.