A


    Charlene wasn''t surprised to see her and gently ruffled her hair. "You came over right after school?"


    "Yeah!" Jasmine beamed, her eyes lighting up when she saw her. She then called out, "Great-Grandma Helena." Helena acknowledged her with a faint nod just as Thorne emerged from the hospital room.


    He nodded at them as they arrived, but Helena''s expression remained cool, offering no further acknowledgment.


    Charlene nced at him briefly before turning her attention back to Jasmine, who seemed eager to speak. "Your mom and I are going to see your great-grandma first, okay?" "Oh..."


    Jasmine, a bit disappointed but understanding, took Charlene''s hand, ready to go into the room together.


    Thorne took the bouquet and the fruit basket they brought and followed them back into the hospital room.


    Irma''s face lit up with a delighted smile when she saw Charlene and Helena. "What brings you here?"


    Helena, noting Irma''s struggle to sit up, quickly intervened. "Oh,e on, after everything that''s happened, you didn''t think to tell us?"


    Irma''s smile faded slightly. She nced over at Thorne, who was busy pouring water for Charlene and Helena. "I didn''t have the heart to face you..."


    Charlene and Helena epted the sses of water Thorne offered.


    Helena finally spoke up, "This is between them, Irma. You''re not to me."


    ""But I-"


    With Jasmine present, Irma hesitated to say more.


    Helena patted Irma''s hand reassuringly, "I know everything."


    After greeting Helena, Irma shifted her focus to Charlene. Jasmine, who hadn''t seen Charlene since the parent-child event at school, was now sticking close to her side and trying to climb onto herp. Charlene set her ss down and lifted Jasmine onto herp.


    When Helena nced over, Charlene greeted her, "Grandma."


    "Yes, dear." Irma''s face softened with a warm smile.


    With Jasmine there, the conversation steered clear of any issues between Charlene and Thorne. Instead, Helena and Charlene focused on catching up with Irma about her current situation. Irma shared the details, and when they learned about her surgery scheduled for the next day, Helena said, "I''ll be here to keep youpany."


    "Thanks, old friend. It means a lot."


    Having Helena there to chat would boost Irma''s spirits.


    After a bit of talking, Irma suddenly remembered. "You haven''t had dinner, have you? Thorne, why don''t you arrange-"


    "No need," Helena interjected. "Charlene and I ate before we came."


    She turned to Thorne with a cool tone, "If you and Minnie haven''t eaten, you should go grab something."


    Jasmine, who hadn''t had a meal with Charlene in ages, clung to her neck. "Mom, I''ve missed you so much. Can''t youe with us?"


    00


    11.01


    Remembering the events of the previous night, Charlene offered a soft, resigned smile. "I''ve had a long day at work, sweetheart. I''m tired and just don''t feel up to moving around much. You all go ahead."


    With Charlene''s gentle refusal, Jasmine couldn''t argue further. Yet, nestled in Charlene''s familiar embrace, she was reluctant to let go, savoring her mom''sforting scent.