Vesta''s distraction at the dinner table didn''t escape Thorne''s notice. "What''s wrong?" he asked quietly.


    Vesta forced a smile. "Nothing."


    He didn''t press the issue.


    Moran and Granger, caught up in their own conversation, didn''t seem to sense Vesta''s unease.


    The meal concluded, and as time ticked by and the others began to show signs of leaving, the surprise she had been anticipating all day still hadn''t materialized. Vesta''s heart began to sink, though she clung to a sliver of hope.


    But then Thorne called the waiter over and settled the bill. It was clear they were all leaving the restaurant, with no further ns for the evening. The faint hope she held onto turned to ice, and she found herself frozen in ce.


    "Ms. Hawkins?"


    This time, it was Jasmine who first noticed something was wrong.


    Before Vesta could respond, Thorne turned at the sound of Jasmine''s voice, his expression filled with concern. Seeing his worry, her heart steadied slightly.


    Her family had heard that Thorne had purchased a diamond for an astronomical price to propose to her, but there had never been any confirmation that he would do it *today*. They had all just gotten carried away.


    Even though he didn''t propose as everyone expected, their rtionship was still strong.


    "Are you okay?" Thorne asked.


    Vesta snapped back to the present. "I''m fine."


    Having reasoned with herself, her mood improved, though a pang of disappointment lingered.


    Still, the fact that he was once again pushing for a divorce from Charlene proved how much he cared about her. They had plenty of time. She could wait.


    Jasmine, exhausted from a couple of days packed with extracurricr sses, let out a big yawn as they stepped out of the restaurant into the eight o''clock evening air. She reached her arms out for Thorne, who lifted her into his arms. "Tired?"


    "Yeah, Daddy. Can we go home and sleep?"


    "Of course."


    Vesta''s expression darkened as she watched them. While Thorne hadn''t proposed, it was still her birthday. She had hoped the rest of the


    evening would be just for the


    them, just like it always had been before.


    of


    Moran and Granger knew this, which was why they had wrapped up dinner early, intending to give them more time alone.


    Perhaps sensing her disappointment, Thorne said, "I''ll call youter."


    He was going to take Jasmine home and thene back for her.


    Vesta''s mood instantly brightened. "Okay," she said with a genuine smile.


    With that, the group parted ways.


    Shortly after getting into her car, Vesta''s phone buzzed. It was another message from Leah.


    [So, what''s the situation, Vesta?]


    It was followed by an animated emoji of exploding fireworks.


    Vesta nced at it and tossed her phone onto the passenger seat without replying.


    When Leah had first told her about


    the diamond, she had been filled with amindescribable mix of excitement and joy, and she had spent the entire day anticipating this evening''s surprise.


    While her mood wasn''t terrible now, if Thorne had actually proposed tonight, she—


    Leah''s message was a stark reminder of the massive gap between her expectations and reality, and her spirits plummeted once more.


    Leah wasn''t the only one waiting for an update. The Spencers and the rest of the Hawkins family were waiting too Knowing Leah was the


    designated informant, they all looked at her expectantly.


    Seeing that Vesta hadn''t replied, Leah grinned knowingly. "She hasn''t answered yet.


    I guess she''s too busy..."