She was right, of course. But...


    Charlene looked up, about to speak, but the words caught in her throat when she met Jasmine''s hopeful, pleading eyes.


    Just then, Thorne spoke up. "Since you have the time, you shoulde back with us."


    "...Alright," Charlene finally conceded.


    She got into the car with them. On the way back, Jasmine was buzzing with excitement, but she eventually sumbed to sleepiness just as they were pulling up to the house. The car stopped in the driveway, and Thorne got out, carrying a sleeping Jasmine. Charlene sat in the car for a second, watching his retreating figure before she finally opened the door and stepped out.


    The butler, having been alerted to their arrival, rushed out to greet them. His eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Charlene, but his expression quickly shifted to one of joy. "Mrs. Henderson, you''ve returned?"


    Charlene paused, choosing not to respond to the title. Instead, she said politely, "Sorry, we didn''t mean to disturb anyone."


    The butler''s smile faltered slightly as he nced at Thorne.


    While Charlene and the butler exchanged pleasantries, Thorne stood waiting with Jasmine in his arms. "Would you like to go upstairs and rest?" he asked her.


    Charlene nodded and followed him up the stairs. Although she didn''t look around deliberately, she noticed that the house was exactly as she had left it,pletely unchanged.


    Thorne took Jasmine directly to her room, and Charlene followed him inside. After he removed Jasmine''s coat and shoes and tucked her into bed, he turned to Charlene, who was standing quietly to the side. "Will you sleep with Minnie tonight?"


    Charlene nodded silently.


    "Okay," Thorne said. "Let me know if you need anything."


    "I will."


    Without another word, Thorne turned and left the room. Jasmine''s room had a spare set of pajamas for her, so Charlene grabbed them and headed into the bathroom.


    When she emerged from her shower with her hair dried, she found


    Latonia entering the room with a few items. Seeing Charlene, Latonia


    naskeno


    me to


    smiled "Mr. Her things ve


    bring up some of your things. ced your clothes and skincare products here. Please let me know if there''s anything else you need, Ms. Ross."


    "Thank you. It''s gettingte, you should head down and get some rest."


    "Very well."


    After Latonia left, Charlene sat down at the vanity. As she began her skincare routine with the products Latonia had brought, she noticed that while they were her usual brands, all of them were brand new and unopened.


    She paused for a moment. Just as she finished, her phone buzzed several times in a row. A nce at the screen told her it was alread past manight Stewart Ferguson, Granger Harden, York Watson, Gaylord Hearst, Abrd Ramirez, and Hickey Watson had all sent her Christmas greetings.


    Charlene picked up her phone and began replying to each of them one by one. The


    moment Granger saw her reply, he sent another message. [Heard from Thorne you


    were out with him and Minnie tonight. Did you have a good time?]


    Charlene typed back: [It was very nice.]


    Upon seeing her response, York, Gaylord, and Abrd also replied to


    her messages. She then sent her own Christmas wishes to Kenton Wagner and Connie Snyder. For the next half hour Charlene waso, upied with her phone, replying to messages. Just as the


    conversations were winding down, she received a new text. This time, it was from Thorne in the next room.


    [Merry Christmas. Get some rest. Goodnight.]