When Charlene stepped out of the bathroom, it had already been ten minutes.


    After having dinner with Connie, she suddenly felt the urge to visit the nursing home.


    But remembering Sybil''s condition and how the director mentioned she shouldn''t see familiar faces, she found herself parked outside the nursing home. In the end, she couldn''t bring herself to go in and drove back home. Once home, she locked herself in her room and busied herself with her own things.


    Time passed unknowingly.


    Her phone rang again. It was a call from Thorne.


    Charlene nced at it, noted down the data she was working on, and didn''t pick up.


    The call eventually went to voicemail.


    few minutester, it rang again. Charlene still didn''t answer.


    Shortly after, Thorne sent a text: [Grandma wants us over for dinner at the family home.]


    Charlene didn''t reply.


    On the other side, seeing no response, Thorne held his phone in silence for a moment.


    Then, Jasmine''s voice floated up from the stairwell, "Dad, you''re back!"


    By the time she finished speaking, Jasmine had already reached the bottom of the stairs and jumped into his


    arms.


    Thorne steadied her, murmuring an acknowledgment.


    Noticing he was holding his phone, seemingly about to send a text, she asked, "What are you doing, Dad?"


    Thorne replied, "Your mom''s not answering her phone."


    Hearing him mention Charlene, Jasmine huffed in annoyance and turned her face away.


    Seeing her reaction, Thorne pinched her cheek gently, "Getting mad the moment I mention your mom? Did you upset her?"


    Jasmine''s eyes widened with irritation as she eximed, "No, it''s Mom who made me mad!"


    Thorne, supporting his chin with his hand in a thoughtful pose, feigned curiosity and responded, "Oh really?"


    Jasmine puffed up,ining, "Mom promised to take me skiing, but when I called her today, she said she was too busy and we''d go some other time!"


    "If your mom said she''s got things to handle and can''t take you out, shouldn''t you be understanding instead of getting mad at her? Isn''t that a bit unfair?" "You!"


    Thorne chuckled, yfully mussing her hair, then stood up, "Let''s go."


    Jasmine paused, "Where to?"


    "Your great-grandmother''s calling us over for dinner."


    "Oh..." Jasmine made a noise of acknowledgment and hurried after him.


    Meanwhile, Charlene ordered a takeout, and just after she finished her meal around seven, Irma''s call came through.


    She could ignore Thorne''s calls, but Irma had been kind to her family, and she feltpelled to answer, "Hello, Grandma."


    08:44


    Irma said, "Charlene, I heard from Thorne you''re busy. When will you be free?"


    Charlene didn''t want to go back to the family home.


    Since Thorne had already made an excuse for her, she went along with it, "I''m swamped these next few days, sorry Grandma, I won''t be able to visit you."


    Irma didn''t mind, "That''s alright, dear. I''m just worried you''re overworking yourself."


    "I won''t, Grandma, I know my limits."


    "That''s good to hear," Irma responded. "Thorne ising over tomorrow. I''ll send back some treats with him. Make sure you eat well."


    Charlene said, "Will do."


    After hanging up, Irma, who was eyeing her grandson lounging on the couch with a newspaper,mented, "Next time, if Charlene doesn''te back with you, you might as well note back either." Thorne raised an eyebrow, asking, "Should I leave now then?"


    Irma just huffed.