"Hey there, want to buy some candied apples?"


    Charlene turned around.


    The glossy, vibrant red of the candied apples caught her eye, and she felt a little tug at her heart.


    It had been ages since shest had one.


    With that thought, she nced over at Jasmine. Sure enough, Jasmine was happily munching away on her own candied apple.


    Not too far off, Vesta, clutching a bouquet of red roses, was cozied up next to Thorne, deep in conversation. Jasmine, in a yful gesture, offered her half-eaten treat to Vesta. Vestaughed and took a bite from Jasmine''s hand, then Jasmine took another bite before offering it to Thorne.


    Thorne just shook his head, said something Charlene couldn''t hear, and declined.


    Charlene turned her attention back to the vendor. "I''ll take a bunch of strawberries, please."


    Just as she was about to ask York if he wanted anything, he beat her to it. "I''ve got this."


    He quickly pulled out his phone to pay, taking the candied apples from the vendor and handing them to her. The candied apples were just a few bucks.


    Charlene epted them with a smile. "Thanks."


    "No problem."


    They continued chatting, oblivious to the fact that Vesta and Thorne had nced their way, catching York paying for Charlene''s treat.


    Thorne''s expression darkened slightly, and the smile on Vesta''s face faded.


    Charlene and York didn''t notice.


    The fireworks show wouldst about twenty minutes.


    As the fireworks continued to light up the sky, they turned back to watch them.


    Jasmine turned to them, "Dad, Ms. Hawkins, what are you looking at?"


    Thorne withdrew his gaze. "Nothing important."


    Vesta just smiled.


    A few minutester, the fireworks finally came to an end.


    Charlene said, "Thanks for bringing me to see the fireworks, and for the candied apples."


    "Heading back now?"


    "Yeah, just going to pick up a few nts and then head home," she replied.


    York didn''t insist she stay longer. "Alright."


    "See you."


    "See you."


    Charlene walked away.


    York followed the crowd, heading toward the parking lot. He hadn''t gone far when he heard someone call out, "York?"


    12:58


    It was Dalton.


    York turned around, greeting, "Dalton."


    Dalton approached him. "What are you doing here?"


    "Came for dinner with some friends," York replied. "What about you?"


    Dalton looked slightly ufortable. "About the same."


    "I''m heading out. How about you?"


    "I-" Dalton''s words trailed off as his gaze fixed on something in the distance.


    York followed his line of sight and saw Thorne and Vesta. They didn''t seem to be leaving but had instead found their way to a nearby café.


    Dalton''s eyes stayed locked on them. "That girl... could the rumors be true? Does Thorne really have a daughter?"


    York wasn''t all that interested in the gossip. "Maybe."


    Dalton stood there, lips pressed together.


    If that girl really was Thorne''s daughter, wouldn''t Vesta have a tough time in the future? And there were also whispers that Thorne was already married.


    If that turned out to be true, and if Thorne and his ex-wife got tangled up over the kid, wouldn''t Vesta suffer even more?