Thorne''s reply arrived quickly: [Okay.]


    But that was his only message. Three or four more days passed, and Charlene still hadn''t received a call from Thorne to schedule their appointment at City Hall.


    It had been over a week since Thorne returned to the country, yet he had made no move to finalize the divorce. Both the Hawkins family and the Spencers were aware of this. They also knew that Thorne had barely seen Vesta all week. If he were swamped with work, they could have understood. But from what they gathered, Thorne''s week hadn''t been particrly busy at all.


    Vesta had told them that Thorne''s attitude toward Charlene began to shift after he learned about her professional skills. They now suspected he had developed some feelings for her, making him hesitant to let her go. Despite this, the Hawkins and Spencers still believed his feelings for Vesta ran deeper. But now, as the days ticked by, Thorne was neither finalizing the divorce nor spending time with Vesta. His indecisiveness was unsettling. Could it be that Charlene was now important enough to rival Vesta in his heart?


    Leah couldn''t ept it. "Impossible!" she dered. "How could Charlene everpare to my sister? There''s no way he would choose Charlene over her!"


    The others felt the same. While Charlene was talented in the Al field, Vesta excelled not only there but in many other areas as well. She was a captivating woman; how could Charlene possiblypete?


    And yet, the facts were undeniable: Thorne was dragging his feet on the divorce and seeing less of Vesta.


    Maureen spoke calmly. "Let''s just wait and see."


    "Exactly," Leah chimed in. "I''m sure once he thinks it through, he''ll choose my sister. Who does Charlene think she is? She''s nothingpared to her!"


    ...


    Stewart was also aware that Thorne hadn''t made time to finalize the divorce.


    "So, if he never has time, you two just stay married forever?" he asked Charlene "You need to keep


    pressuring him until he finally shows up at City Hall with you."


    "I know," Charlene replied. "I''ve already pushed him several times. I''ll send him


    another messageter."


    "Good," Stewart said.


    Just as they rounded a corner, they ran straight into the Hawkins family.


    both Curled his lip in distaste, not took Charlene''s hand aet


    to acknowledge them. He


    red her past thems Content,


    Vesta, Maureen, and the others had overheard their entire conversation. Their faces, soured as they watched Charlene and Stewart walk away. If they had held out any hope for Thorne before, it was now gone it was clear that Thornene, not was the one stalling the divorce. From the sound of it, both Charlene and Stewart were eager for it to be over.


    Realizing this, the Hawkins family stood in stunned silence.


    Vesta clenched her fists, her jaw tight, saying nothing.


    ...


    Later that day, Charlene sent another message to Thorne, urging him to meet her at City Hall.


    He didn''t reply until noon the next day. This time, he finally agreed.


    [Okay.]