When Jasmine found out that Thorne had flown all the way back from overseas


    just to surprise her, her spirits finally lifted.


    Clutching her phone, she dashed excitedly down the stairs.


    Charlene watched her for a moment, standing frozen, then followed Jasmine


    downstairs and called the gatehouse to let Thorne''s car through.


    As Thorne''s car pulled into the Ross family''s driveway, Jasmine bolted out the


    front door and threw herself into his arms the moment he stepped out of the car.


    It was her birthday, but Thorne hadn''t called all day, and Charlene had been out


    and about, busy with her own things. Jasmine had spent the whole day feeling


    overlooked and hurt, convinced they hadn''t given her a second thought.


    That heaviness had lingered all day, clouding everything.


    But seeing Thorne make the effort toe home just for her birthday-feeling for


    the first time that he truly cared-Jasmine''s bottled-up emotions surged to the


    surface, her eyes turning red with tears.


    As she copsed into his arms, Thorne ruffled her hair and, kneeling down to hug


    her, realized she was crying.


    His hand paused, surprise flickering in his eyes. But it didn''t take him long to


    piece it together: not only had he forgotten to call, but Charlene must have done


    something else to make Jasmine feel neglected. No wonder she broke down the


    moment she saw him.


    He looked up and caught sight of Charlene standing a little ways off, not making


    any move to approach.


    Their eyes met, but Charlene said nothing.


    She understood why Jasmine was crying-she knew Jasmine felt ignored and


    was hurt by it. But Charlene just stood there, watching quietly, without saying a


    word.


    Thorne didn''t push her or scold her. Instead, he quickly turned back to Jasmine,


    wiping away her tears. "Daddy should have called you first thing this morning to


    wish you happy birthday, and I should have gotten home sooner. That was wrong


    of me. I''m sorry, sweetheart."


    Jasmine''s hurt didn''t juste from Thorne, but now, with someone to lean on,


    with someone finallyforting her, the feeling only grew stronger. The more


    Thorne spoke, the harder she cried.


    He didn''t tell her to stop, though. He simply held her close, gently patting her back


    in silent reassurance.


    After a while, Jasmine''s sobs quieted as her sadness faded, until eventually, she


    stopped crying altogether.


    When she was calm again, Thorne let her go and handed her the present he had


    brought.


    Jasmine''s face lit up as she wiped away her tears. "Thank you, Daddy," she said,


    her voice still a little shaky.


    While Jasmine and Thorne chatted, Charlene remained where she was, watching


    from a distance.


    Eventually, Thorne asked, "We''ve got about an hour left until midnight. Is there


    anything else you want to do for your birthday?"


    Jasmine tilted her head, thinking it over, then shook her head. "No, nothing else."


    Thorne nced at Charlene, then


    asked, "So, do you want toe


    home with me tonight, or would you


    rather stay here with your mom?"


    Jasmine hesitated, finally looking over at Charlene.


    Charlene waited quietly, letting her decide.


    Jasmine knew that Charlene wasn''t


    as attentive as she used to be, but


    whenever Jasmine asked for


    something, Charlene always tried


    her best to meet her needs. Deep


    down, Jasmine knew her mom still


    cared for her.


    Feeling reassured, Jasmine walked over and took Charlene''s hand. She turned to


    Thorne. "I want to stay here with Mom tonight."


    Thorne nodded, turning to Charlene for her response.


    Jasmine''s birthday wasn''t over yet, and her words just now were her true birthday


    wish. There was no way Charlene could refuse.


    So Charlene squeezed Jasmine''s hand and said, "Alright."


    Then she added, "It''s gettingte. We should all get some rest. Minnie, say


    goodnight to your dad."


    Jasmine said, "Goodnight, Daddy."


    But as she said it, she couldn''t help


    feeling a little reluctant to see him


    go. She quickly added, "Daddy, you


    have toe pick me up in the


    morning!"


    Thorne smiled. "I promise."


    He nced over at Charlene. "Thank you for taking care of her tonight."


    Charlene replied simply, "Of course."


    With that, she said no more, just took Jasmine''s hand and turned to lead her back


    inside.


    Thorne watched them until the door closed behind them, then finally got into his


    car and drove away.


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