Maureen tore her gaze away, forcing a faint smile. "You could say that."


    After a few more pleasantries, they saw their friend off and got into their own car. Once inside, both Maureen and Katie felt a bit foolish. They had seen Thorne and Charlene acting cordial and immediately jumped to conclusions, even connecting it to the dyed divorce.


    Now that their daughter was older, it was only natural for Thorne to be more civil to Charlene for the child''s sake. To read anything more into it was a definite overreaction.


    After leaving the restaurant, Thorne drove them to a private estate where they could pick their own fruit. He had called ahead, so as soon as they arrived, someone was there to greet them.


    "Mr. Henderson, Miss Jasmine." The host then turned to Charlene with a polite smile. "And you are?"


    Thorne and Jasmine were clearly regrs here.


    Before Charlene could answer, Jasmine grabbed her hand and excitedly pulled her forward. "Mommy, the peaches and pomegranates here are huge and super sweet! Daddy said they have all sorts of rare kinds you can''t find in stores. You''ll love it! Can we go pick pomegranates first?"


    "Of course," Charlene replied, then turned to the estate manager. "My name is Ross."


    The manager''s eyes widened slightly when he heard Jasmine call her "Mommy," but he concealed his surprise well. "A pleasure to wee you, Ms. Ross."


    Jasmine eagerly led Charlene up the hill, with Thorne following at a rxed pace. The manager walked alongside them, quietly instructing his staff to prepare drinks, snacks, and fruit baskets.


    The estate was vast, and the hills wereden with ripe fruit, a truly joyful sight. Charlene noticed, however, that besides their group and a few staff members, the sprawling grounds were empty.


    As if reading her mind, Thorne asked the manager, "It''s quieter than usual today."


    "We escorted thest group of guests out shortly before your arrival, sir. There are very few people remaining on the property now."


    Thorne simply grunted in acknowledgment.


    After picking several pomegranates, Jasmine Spotted what she dered to be thergest one in the entire orchard, but it was just out of her reach. Thorne walked over, lifted her up, and helped her twist it free.


    Jasmine ran back to Charlene, cradling the fruit like a trophy. "Mommy, this one is


    the biggest and prettiest! Can we ask Daddy to open it for us?"


    Before Charlene could answer, Thorne took the pomegranate and led them to a nearby pavilion. He put on a pair of gloves and began to score the fruit. His movements were methodical and surprisingly. deft, had clearly done this many times before. Remembering that he and Jasmine were frequent visitors, Charlene looked away.


    A few momentster, Thorne returned with a bowl filled with glistening pomegranate


    seeds, handing it to Charlene and Jasmine.


    "Thank you," Charlene said, epting it.


    The fruit was exceptional, sweeter and more fragrant than even the most expensive ones from the market. Afterward, Jasmine dragged Charlene all over the hills, picking a wide variety of other fruits Charlene found that everything tasted better here and was wondering if they could take some home when Thorne looked at her and said, "You can."