Charlene shook her head.


    "Still busy with work?" Stewart asked, his voiceced with disbelief.


    "Yes."


    Stewart was speechless. While he knew Thorne''stest investments were making waves, the idea that he couldn''t spare thirty minutes for a divorce was absurd. If he didn''t know their history, he''d think Thorne was stalling on purpose. But because he *did* know, he knew that was impossible.


    He pped a hand on Charlene''s shoulder. "Just wait a few more days. If he still hasn''t made time by the end of the finalization window, we''ll just sue for divorce."


    "I know," Charlene said, though she doubted it woulde to that.


    Two dayster, it was Charlene''s birthday. She woke early, as did Helena Ross and Maisie, who were already in the kitchen preparing a special birthday breakfast and cake for her. Her gifts were already wrapped and waiting.


    When she came downstairs, they greeted her with warm smiles. "Happy birthday, Charlene. Another year older."


    "Happy birthday, cousin."


    A warmth spread through Charlene''s chest as she epted their gifts. "Thank you, everyone."


    As they waited for breakfast, the inte buzzed. It was security, announcing a visitor. When the guard read out the license te number, Charlene recognized it as Thorne''s. The smiles on everyone''s faces froze, reced by looks of concern.


    They all knew the only reason the divorce hadn''t been finalized was Thorne''s busy schedule. He had


    always been eager to get it over


    with. He didn''t care about Charlene; he probably didn''t even know it was her birthday And while they all wanted the divorce to be over the thought of him choosing this day, of all days, to do it felt cruel.


    They looked at Charlene, who, after a brief pause, calmly told the guard, "Let him


    in."


    The moment the call ended, Nadine Ross, seeing Charlene''s pained expression, didn''t know what to say Carl Ross, however couldn''t contam his anger. “That bastard is taking it too far-" To not love someone was one thing, but to intentionally hurt them like this?


    Helena and Maisie remained silent. They could have asked Thorne to postpone, and he might have agreed for Irma Henderson''s sake, but what was the point?


    Charlene knew they were worried about her. She turned to them. "I''m fine." A divorce was a divorce, no matter the day.


    The sound of a car pulling up filled the silence. Carl, young and hot-headed, started for the door, but Charlene caught his arm.


    "Cousin—" he protested through gritted teeth.


    Charlene shook her head, urging them all to stay inside as she went out alone.


    She had just reached the doorway when the car door opened. But it wasn''t Thorne who emerged. It was Jasmine, clutching a gift-wrapped box. Her face lit up when she saw Charlene. "Mommy, happy birthday!" she cried, running toward her.


    Charlene stopped in her tracks.


    Jasmine presented her with the gift. "This is from me!" Then, without pausing for breath, she pulled


    another box from her backpack


    "And this one is from Daddy! He couldn''te, so he asked me to bing it he told me to wish you a happy birthday, too!"