On Monday, Charlene and Jasmine had just finished breakfast and were getting ready to leave when they heard a car pull up outside.


    It was Thorne.


    Jasmine ran out excitedly. "Daddy, you''re here!"


    "I am." Thorne gave Charlene a nod. "Morning. Shall we?"


    Charlene didn''t say anything and got into the car with Jasmine.


    The ride to the school was silent, the tension from the other night still lingering in the air.


    When they arrived, they stepped out into a bright, sunny morning, but a strong wind was blowing. Charlene instinctively pulled her cor tighter. Thorne nced at her. "Cold? There''s a "


    "I''m fine," she cut in coolly. She wasn''t just being stubborn; she truly wasn''t cold.


    Thorne studied her for a moment, seemed to ept she was telling the truth, and fell silent.


    Jasmine took Charlene''s hand and led the way into the ssroom. Her teacher, Ms. Payne, looked up and, seeing only the two of them at first, seemed momentarily taken aback.


    Before she could speak, however, Thorne walked in right behind them. A smile of relief washed over her face. "Minnie''s dad, Minnie''s mom, wee. Her seat is right this way."


    Charlene and Thorne nodded and followed her. As soon as they sat down, one of Jasmine''s ssmates came over, staring curiously at them.


    "Minnie, are these your parents? Your dad is so handsome, and your mom is so pretty! So your parents really aren''t divorced?"


    Jasmine lifted her chin and huffed, "Of course not! Your parents are the ones who got divorced. My mom and dad are doing great."


    The conference hadn''t officially started yet, so Jasmine ran off to y with her friends.


    Charlene watched her go, and when she turned back, she found Thorne looking at her. Her heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze, but she didn''t have a moment to dwelt on it before another parent, Sally''smom, came over to say hello.


    They hadn''t seen each other in a while and chatted for a few minutes. Finally, Sally''s


    mom gave Thorne an awkward nod. "Hello."


    Thorne was perfectly polite in return. "A pleasure to see you."


    A few momentster, the conference began.


    After it concluded, Ms. Payne approached Charlene and Thorne She hesitated before speaking "Minnie has been quite downtely. heard it was because of... some issues between the two of you."


    Ms. Payne was aware of Thorne''s identity and had recently seen Charlene in the news, realizing she was also a formidable professional in her own right. As a simple teacher addressing two such power fo people, she felt that saying too much would be overstepping.


    From Jasmine''s behavior, it seemed they hadn''t divorced, but she couldn''t be sure.


    She took a breath and continued, "I''ve rarely seen Minnie so unhappy. Going forward, I hope you''ll both pay close attention to her emotional well-being."


    Her meaning was clear: even if they were divorcing, they needed tofort and support their daughter through it.


    Charlene and Thorne both understood. They nodded simultaneously, and Thorne replied graciously, "We will. Thank you for your concern, Ms. Payne."