Both Thorne and Charlene had brought food. When Jasmine saw the pastries Charlene had made—a favorite she hadn''t had in a long time—her face lit up. "Mom, you made these specially for me?!"


    Charlene hadn''t actually nned on it. Helena had insisted, and she''dplied simply to avoid the old woman''s nagging. Seeing Jasmine''s excitement, however, she didn''t say anything.


    Just then, Thorne ced two tes of pastries in front of Charlene. "The housekeeper mentioned you liked these, so I had her make some. Want one?"


    One of Thorne''s cooks made exceptional pastries, and a particr kind of cheese cake had a unique vor she adored. It wasn''t something you could buy in a store, and she hadn''t tasted one since she''d moved out. The familiar sight of the food spread before her suddenly transported her back to the past, to the days she spent waiting at home for Thorne to return.


    Charlene turned her head away. "Thank you," she said coolly. "I''ll have some if I feel like it."


    Thorne nced at her but didn''t press the issue.


    After a snack, Jasmine spotted someone flying a kite and immediately wanted to do the same. She dragged Thorne off to buy one, and they returned a few minutester, each holding one. As Charlene looked over, Thorne offered her the blue butterfly kite.


    She instinctively refused. "No, thank you. I—"


    "Mom, Dad bought that one just for you," Jasmine interjected. "Flying kites is really fun, you should try it!" She took the kite from Thorne and pressed it into Charlene''s hands. "Do you know how to fly one?"


    Charlene wasn''t sure what Jasmine meant by "just for you," but she answered, "I think so."


    Jasmine had loved kites when she was younger. Before Thorne had taken an active interest in her, Charlene had taken her to fly them a few times. But Jasmine had been so small then; she''d probably forgotten.


    With no real interest in flying it, Charlene set the kite aside. Thorne, meanwhile, patiently showed


    Jasmine how to get hers into the air; seeding on the first try. Jasmine held the string, a constant, brilliant smile on her pretty face.


    Thorne stood nearby, watching his daughter with a gentle smile of his own. Seeing them together, Charlene felt a wave of relief. Whatever had happened in the past whatever was happening between her and Thorne now, at least he genuinely loved Jasmine With such a devoted father, Jasmine would surely have a good future.


    Lost in thought, she was startled to find Thorne looking at her. As their eyes met, she was about to look away when he nced at the kite she had set aside. "Not going to give it a try?"


    "I''m not really interested," she replied tly.


    Thorne said nothing more, his gaze


    returning to Jasmine. The


    .n


    campground wasrge, and there were quite a few people around Since they hadn''t brought any Staff, Thorne followed after Jasmine as she began to wander further away, keeping a watchful eye on her.


    aske


    Charlene remained seated, her gaze fixed on the distant figures of the father and daughter.