Charlene paused for a moment before replying, "Okay, but you have to put it right


    back after you look at it. It''s not a toy, and it would be a problem if it got lost." If they lost their marriage certificate, they would have to get a recement before they could file for divorce, which would be a huge hassle.


    Jasmine didn''t overthink it and eagerly agreed. "I know!" she chirped before hanging up and having someone drive her to the Ross family estate.


    Charlene returned to her meeting. After a while, the group moved to a restaurant for dinner. As everyone was finding their seats, Thorne once again made his way to the chair beside Charlene.


    No one paid it much mind. However, as the dinner progressed, they were surprised to see that Charlene and Thorne barely exchanged a word. They had assumed the two would be close, given that PrimeStar Technologies and The Henderson Group were coborating on a project. They never expected them to seem like strangers. After dinner, Charlene returned to the Ross residence to find Jasmine still there. The little girl ran up and hugged her, beaming. "Mommy, I saw your and Daddy''s marriage certificate! You really aren''t divorced!"


    Charlene started to say something, but looking down at Jasmine''s joyful face, the words caught in her throat. She simply managed a soft "Mm-hmm" and changed the subject. "Have you had your bath? Are you staying here tonight?"


    "I can do whatever! What about you, Mommy?" Before Charlene could answer, Jasmine pressed on. "Mommy, I want you toe home. You haven''t been home in so long." Then, she added, "Where do you work now? If your office is far away, Daddy could just drive you, couldn''t he?"


    Charlene was momentarily speechless. After a pause, she finally said, "Your father is busy with work, too..."


    "Then you can just stay here when Daddy''s busy!" Jasmine insisted.


    Just as Charlene was struggling for a response, her phone rang. It was Thorne.


    She answered immediately, then turned to Jasmine. "It''s your father." She handed the phone to her daughter.


    Jasmine took it. "Daddy?"


    "I''m home," Thorne said from the other end. "Are you still at your great- grandmother''s?"


    "Yep." A thought suddenly struck


    Jasmine, and her eyes lit up. "Daddy, Mommy hasn''t been home in a really long time. If it''s not convenient forher to get to work from our house, maybe we should move! We could find a ce that''s convenient for both of you."


    Thorne chuckled softly. "Would you be okay with leaving our home?"


    Jasmine bit her lip. She wasn''t, really. She had grown up there, and the thought of leaving made her sad.


    Thorne smoothly changed the subject. "Do you want me toe pick you up now?"


    Jasmine pouted and didn''t answer.


    Seeing her silence, Thorne added, "Why don''t you stay there tonight and keep your mompany? I''ll have your schoolbag sent over in the morning."


    Jasmine still didn''t speak, but she looked up at Charlene. For a long time now, she had missed the days when Charlene was at home She


    had always wanted her toe back, but her mother was always busy.


    им


    de


    Today, the thought that they might have divorced had made her cry. Thinking of this, Jasmine reached for her mother''s hand and said in a small muffled voice, want to go home tonight. But... Mommy want you toe with me."


    On the other end of the line, Thorne fell silent.