Charlene knew exactly why that was. She sat in silence for a long time, lost in thought.


    The next day, she personally drove Jasmine to school before heading to work.


    That afternoon, around the time school let out, she picked up her phone and called her daughter.


    Jasmine was thrilled to get her call. "Mom! What''s up?"


    "Nothing much, just calling to check in. Are you heading to your great-grandmother''s house soon? I can have them make some of your favorite dishes."


    Jasmine eagerly agreed. "Okay!"


    After a few more pleasantries, Charlene hung up.


    Jasmine didn''t know why her mother had suddenly called, but she was delighted by the contact. She assumed it was a one-time thing.


    To her surprise, Charlene called again the next day after school. And the day after that, and the day after that. During their calls, Charlene would tell her whether she was busy at work, when she might be home, and if there was anything Jasmine wanted that she could pick up on her way back.


    Jasmine was so happy she practically bounced around Charlene''s room.


    Thorne called her almost every day as well, and each time, Jasmine couldn''t help but announce, "Dad, Mom called me again today!"


    Thorne would chuckle. "I know, sweetie."


    "Has your mome home yet?"


    "No, she said she''s really busy with work and has to workte every day."


    "I know."


    "Oh..."


    Just then, Charlene walked in. Seeing her, Jasmine rushed over and threw her arms around her, refusing to let go. "Mom, you''re home! I missed you so much."


    Charlene gently stroked her hair. "Have you had your bath?"


    "Just finished."


    Jasmine chattered on for a bit before remembering she was still on the phone with Thorne. "Dad, Mom''s home now. I have to go."


    Thorneughed. "Alright."


    Charlene knew her daughter and ex-husband spoke daily, but she and Thorne hadn''tmunicated at all since the day he left for his trip.


    Even so, she was aware of his general situation. Stewart had been closely following the progress of the innovative drug project Thorne had invested in. From him she knew


    Thorne was still Golnd and wouldn''t be able to return for at least several more days.


    On Saturday, Charlene went back to PrimeStar Technologies to work overtime, along with Stewart and a few others.


    Around noon, her phone rang. It was Jasmine.


    Stewart had noticed Charlene''s recent efforts to reach out to her daughter. After she hung up, he looked at her and asked, "So, you''ve decided to make peace with Minnie?"


    Charlene lowered her eyes. "I guess


    so. She''s still young and doesn''t


    f


    understand a lot of things. Her behavior is just a product of her environment. I''m trying to do my part as her mother. That way when she''s older and understands things better, I won''t have anything to regret, even if she still favors someone else."


    Stewart nodded in understanding.


    Deep down, Charlene had always known this. The situation with Jasmine was different from her issues with Thorne. She had raised Jasmine herself, and only she knew how much effort she had poured into it. For her daughter to turn on her like that was a blow that even the most rational person would find painful, heartbreaking, and eventually, chilling.