No way, Mommy. Can youe with me, please? Sapphire Springs Resort is so far. It will be boring if I go alone."


    Charlene paused.


    Oh well.


    "Alright."


    PrimeStar had been developing a new app, and after dinner, Stewart called to discuss some technical issues with her.


    While Thorne and Jasmine chatted in the living room, Charlene stepped outside to take the call. It was half an hourter when Charlene finally wrapped up the conversation. Jasmine looked up at her, unable to resistmenting, "Mommy, you''ve been getting a lot of callstely, talking for hours every evening. You never used to do that." Overhearing that, Thorne looked up at her.


    Hearing Jasmine mention it made the housekeeper realize it was true. Before, Charlene rarely spent so much time on the phone, let alone have such lengthy conversations.


    Could Mrs. Henderson be having an affair? the housekeeper wondered.


    No, that seemed unlikely. Given Charlene''s feelings for Thome, that just couldn''t be it.


    "Just some work stuff," Charlene replied briefly. "I''m going upstairs to handle a few things." Jasmine said, "Okay."


    Charlene booted up herputer to start working on the files Stewart had sent her.


    Seeing her so busy, Jasmine didn''t want to disturb her. After ying alone and taking a bath, she peeked in again.


    Charlene hadn''t neglected her professional skills in the past few years. asionally, when she had free time, she''d even design a few programs, sharing some basics with Jasmine when she came over, though Jasmine was only three or four and often fell asleep listening. As Jasmine looked on, Charlene didn''t mind her and kept working.


    Jasmine didn''t understand much but suddenly realized this work seemed familiar. Vesta had done something simr.


    +


    Jasmine watched for a bit before heading to bed.


    Charlene continued working until she finished, then shut down herputer. Checking the time, she realized it was already past 2 am


    She hadn''t gone back to the master bedroom, and Thorne hadn''t shown any reaction. Maybe her bunking in Jasmine''s room and cutting back on their time together was just what he wanted.


    The following day, Charlene didn''t wake up to make breakfast.


    Jasmine woke up. Seeing Charlene asleep beside her, she realized her mom had stayed with her through the night.


    Seeing Charlene still asleep, Jasmine quietly got up and left the room.


    Seeing Thorne, she yawned, "Morning, Dad."


    Thorne responded with a simple "Hmm."


    "Mommy''s still asleep."


    "Hmm."


    When Charlene got up for breakfast, Thorne almost finished eating. They didn''t talk much, and Thorne left after finishing his meal.


    Charlene also headed to the office when it was time. She left work on time that evening. When she got home, Jasmine was already waiting in the car. But Thorne hadn''t returned yet. Charlene and Jasmine waited for over twenty minutes, with Jasmine frowning. "Dad''s taking forever."


    Calmly reading a book, Charlene didn''t seem bothered.


    Then, the living room phone rang.


    A few secondster, the housekeeper ryed, "Mr. Henderson says he''s busy and can''t make it back. He''s asked you and Miss Minnie to go to Sapphire Springs Resort, and he''ll jointer." Charlene was indifferent, responding, "Got it."


    Thorne had said he''d join themter but never showed up that night, not even when it was deep into the night.