Charlene paused for a moment before replying with a simple "Merry Christmas."


    She was about to turn off her phone and go to sleep when another message came in from Stewart, asking if she wanted to visit Kenton and his wife with him the next morning.


    Charlene replied: [Sounds good.]


    With that, she finally put her phone down and went to bed. The neighborhood stayed quiet through the holiday, and Charlene slept straight through until morning. When she awoke, Jasmine was already awake beside her. "Merry Christmas, Mom!" Charlene smiled and handed her a gift she had prepared the day before. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart."


    Jasmine was overjoyed to receive her present. After they washed up and went downstairs, they found Thorne already awake and on the phone. Seeing them, he turned his head and said into the receiver, "I know, Grandma. We''ll be over in a bit." He hung up and handed Jasmine a gift of his own. "Merry Christmas."


    "Merry Christmas! Thank you, Dad!" Jasmine beamed, then added, "Mom gave me a present too!"


    Thorne smiled and looked at Charlene. "Oh, did she?" His gaze lingered on her. "My grandma wants us toe over to the family estate."


    It was still early, so they had enough time to drive to the estate for breakfast before she would have to head back to the Ross family home. However, Charlene said, "Could you give my regards to your grandmother? I don''t think I''ll be able to make it."


    Thorne didn''t try to persuade her. "Alright."


    Jasmine, realizing this meant Charlene was about to leave for the Ross residence, couldn''t help but say, "Mom, I want to go with you."


    Thorne ruffled her hair. "I already promised Great-Grandma Henderson we''d be there. If you want to see Great-Grandma Ross, we can go after breakfast."


    "...Okay," Jasmine conceded.


    Thorne''s gaze returned to Charlene. "Are you leaving now?"


    She nodded. Thorne instructed the butler to have a car prepared to take her back.


    Soon after she got in, the car pulled away from the vi district.


    When Charlene arrived back at the Ross residence, no one questioned why she had returned alone. The ingredients for the meal had already been prepared After a quick breakfast, she joined Vernon Ross and the others in the kitchen.


    Cóntent


    It took them over two hours to finish cooking. Afterward, Charlene received a call


    from Jasmine, who said she woulde over to the Ross houseter.


    Sybil Ross''s condition had been stabletely. She hadn''t had any recent episodes and seemed to have put on a little weight sincest year. Seeing her in better spirits brought a sense of relief and happiness to Charlene and Helena Ross. Yet, the thought that her life was confined to a care facility or a hospital was still a source of unavoidable sadness.


    After chatting with the facility director for a while and watching Sybil eat the meal they had prepared, the Ross family departed. On their way out, Charlene said her goodbyes and drove directly to Kenton''s home.


    Kenton and his wife, Malvina, rarely had time off to celebrate holidays at home. By the time Charlene arrived, the driveway was already full of cars. As she entered with her gift the chatter in the living room subsided as all eyes turned to her. Before she could even see who was there, Malvina walked over with a warm smile. "Charlene, you''re here!"