After they walked away, Connie looked at Charlene with concern. "Charlene..."


    Charlene shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "I''m fine."


    From the moment Henley divorced her mother, he ceased to be her father in her heart. It wasn''t just the divorce that hurt her but was the strain her rtionship put on her uncle. And Thorne''s preference was like salt in the wound. Thinking about how Thorne only had eyes for Vesta, how he could be so ruthless to Stewart and her uncle for Vesta''s sake, never sparing a thought for her feelings, it felt like a knife twisting in her heart. Bleeding, yet unseen. "Charlene, here." Connie hugged her, her heart aching for her friend.


    Charlene managed a weak smile, saying nothing.


    It was okay. Charlene had decided to move on. She just needed a bit of time. She could do it.


    "Want to grab a drink?" Connie felt Charlene needed to unwind.


    Charlene shook her head. "No, thanks."


    Instead of drinking, she preferred going home to dive into her research. That was her sanctuary, where she found peace and could be her true self.


    Respecting her wishes, Connie didn''t push.


    As they headed for the parking lot, Charlene''s phone rang. It was Jasmine.


    The brief smile that had appeared on Charlene''s face faded as she answered after a slight pause. "Hey."


    Jasmine''s yful and longing voice came through. "Mommy, when are youing home?"


    Charlene didn''t immediately answer, asking, "What''s up?"


    "I''m so bored here all by myself. Can''t youe home and keep mepany?"


    Thorne was


    out, and Vesta was busy. The house was too quiet, and Jasmine missed the days when Charlene would chat with her and


    about her favorite cartoons and action figures. So, she called Charlene, hoping she woulde home. listen to her


    Charlene replied, her voice detached yet gentle. "Mom''s got some work. Maybe next time."


    Che was a mom and wanted to grant Jasmine''s wishes whenever she could. But she needed her own space too, especially when she was feeling down in the dumps. Jasmine sounded disappointed. "Okay then."


    "I''ve got to go. Call me if


    you need anything."


    "Okay." Hanging up, Jasmine felt even lonelier.


    Then, Thorne walked in, finding her deted like a balloon. "What''s wrong?"


    "I called Mommy and wanted her toe home, but she''s busy..." Jasmine buried her face into a cushion, her voice muffled. "Mommy''s always so busytely."


    Thorne hummed in response, settling on the couch with his phone to handle some work. Though he didn''t offerfort with words, he stayed in the room, a silent presence that eventually lightened Jasmine''s mood. Soon, she got distracted by her tablet, ying puzzle games.


    On the other side, seeing Henley return, Laverne Hawkins inquired, "What took you so long?"


    Henley paused. "I ran into Charlene."


    "Oh? You saw her?" Laverne, a stunning and sessful woman, wielded considerable influence in her husband''s family and the Hawkins family. Yet, her interest in Charlene, whom she hadn''t seen for years, was overshadowed by a more pressing matter. "Did you talk to her about Vesta joining PrimeStar?" Henley shook his head. "I tried, but she wouldn''t listen."


    Laverne set down her coffee cup, her brow furrowed in frustration. "Charlene is... I understand she''s upset about Mr. Henderson choosing Vesta over her, but we''ve all met Mr. Henderson. He''s not someone that a woman with Charlene''s limited spark can hold onto. Even without Vesta around, it was just a matter of time before he''d walk away."