Vesta smiled. "Alright, I understand. Thank you, Coy."


    That afternoon, Charlene received a call from Jasmine. The little girl wanted to go out for dinner and asked if Charlene could join her. Jasmine had been on her school break for several days, but Charlene had been so swamped with work that she hadn''t had a chance to spend time with her.


    Charlene already knew that Jasmine had gone out with Vesta a couple of days ago. Since she happened to be free that evening, she readily agreed.


    Later that night, she drove to the address Jasmine had sent her. Just as she got out of the car, Jasmine came running toward her from a short distance away, with Thorne following close behind.


    Charlene paused for a beat when she saw Thorne.


    As Jasmine threw her arms around her, Charlene smoothed the girl''s hair and bent down to chat with her. Once their initial greetings were over, Thorne finally spoke up. "It''s cold out here. Let''s go inside."


    Without a word, Charlene let Jasmine lead her into the restaurant. Both she and Thorne had dined there before, so the manager recognized them. The manager''s eyes widened in shock to see them arrive together, especially when "Mr. Henderson''s daughter" was so affectionately holding Charlene''s hand. It seemed he never imagined the two of them had such a close private connection.


    Charlene noticed the astonishment in the manager''s gaze. She had been surprised enough when Thorne had joined her and Jasmine for a shopping trip a while back. Now, he was out with them again, making no effort to hide it. It was as if he truly didn''t care if their rtionship was exposed.


    Once they were settled in a private room and had ordered, Charlene and Jasmine did most of the talking. Thorne only chimed in asionally, content to simply watch them interact. Before the food arrived, Jasmine excused herself to go to the restroom.


    Thorne set down his ss, his gazending on Charlene. "Have you thought about what I said? About not getting divorced, for now?"


    "I''m fine with that," Charlene replied.


    Her answer didn''t seem to surprise him. He simply nodded in acknowledgement, and they fell back into silence. A few momentster, Jasmine returned, and conversation filled the room once more.


    During the meal, Jasmine suddenly asked, "Mommy, when does your vacation start?"


    "I''m not sure yet. Why?"


    "No reason, I just want you toe home sooner," she said, then added,


    "Once you''re on break, you added,


    have


    time to move back right content


    Charlene''s fork stopped midway to her mouth. She nced at Thorne before booking back at her daughter, about to speak but Thorne beat her to it. Your mother wille back as soon as she''s done with her work."


    Jasmine beamed. "Yay! In that case, you have to get your break started soon, Mommy!"


    "...Alright," Charlene managed.


    After that, they changed the subject When dinner was over, Charlene still had to return to the office. Not long


    ale got in her car, a message


    from Thorne buzzed on her phone.


    [You might need toe back for the holidays this year.]


    Charlene froze, her brow furrowing. She was about to type a reply when another message came through.


    [Minnie''s getting older. If you''re not here for the holidays, she''s going to get suspicious.]


    After reading his message, Charlene deleted what she had started writing. She remained silent for a long moment before finally replying.


    [I understand.]


    Thorne didn''t send another message after that.