Charlene stayed at the hospital all night, managing only an hour of sleep just before dawn.


    She had just sshed some water on her face when Thorne and Jasmine arrived.


    "Minnie wanted toe see you," Thorne exined as he walked past her into the room. He ced a food container on the small table by the balcony, then nced toward Helena, who was connected to a venttor. "Still hasn''t woken up?"


    Charlene shook her head.


    Thorne didn''t press for more details. With Jasmine needing to get to school, their visit was brief.


    That evening, they returned after Jasmine finished her sses.


    Charlene was surprised by their frequent visits. She understood Jasmine''s concern, but she was puzzled by Thorne''s continued presence.


    As Jasmine clung to her, her eyes full of affection, Charlene could feel her daughter''s worry for her great-grandmother. She appreciated the sentiment, but...


    She turned to Thorne. "Minnie is still young. It''s not good for her to be in a hospital so often. You should be mindful of that."


    "Understood," he replied.


    That night, Maisie took over the vigil, and Charlene went home to rest. She returned the next morning, and as she was getting out of her car, she saw Leah, Maureen, and Katie. They looked just as surprised to see her.


    Charlene acted as if they weren''t there, carrying her food container and heading straight for the elevators.


    When she arrived, Dr. Lindy and the other specialists were reviewing Helena''stest test results. On their way back to the room, they found Thorne and Jasmine had already arrived.


    Thorne set down a fruit basket. "I''ve been meaning to thank you all in person since I first called for your help he said "I came specifically to express my gratitude to Brindy and his team."


    Charlene asked Jasmine to stay in the room with Maisie and led Thorne to find the doctors.


    They didn''t have to go far, as they met the specialists in the hallway.


    Thorne approached them politely. "I just heard that my grandmother-inw''s


    condition has stabilized. Thank you all for your hard work."


    "It''s our duty. Think nothing of it," said Dr. Lindy, who seemed to know Thorne well: His eyes flickered toward Charlene before settling back on Thome. He smiled. "To get all of us here at once, you certainly went to great lengths. We''ve known each other for years, and this is the first I''ve seen you pull so many strings. If you don''t mind my asking, what is your rtionship with Ms. Ross?"


    Thorne answered without hesitation. "We''re married."


    His words hung in the air, stunning not only Dr. Lindy but the other specialists as well. Charlene''s brow furrowed, but this was hardly the time or ce to correct him.


    After a moment of surprise, Dr. Lindy recovered. "When did you get married? You never mentioned it before."


    "Many years ago," Thorne replied smoothly. "I''ll have to treat you all to dinner sometime soon."


    After a few more pleasantries,


    Thorne and Charlene escorted the


    doctors downstairs. As the elevator


    doors slid shut none of them


    noticed Leah and Maureen standing


    just around the corner, having overheard every word.