Chapter 259
Charlene was driving away from the hospital when Helena suddenly seemed to remember something. “Thorne made it to the hospital, but what about Minnie? Where did she go?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Charlene was about to respond, but Helena’s expression had already turned sour. She was clearly upset that Thorne had left Jasmine behind, choosing instead to accompany Vesta to the hospital to see Irma. “He’ll sort it out,” Charlene reassured her.
Helena, still skeptical, persisted. “If he keeps this up, Charlene, you need to take him to court. You have to get custody of Minnie, no matter what!”
Charlene hesitated for a moment before replying softly, “Okay.”
Despite her agreement, Helena remained visibly displeased.
When they finally arrived at the Ross family home, Helena was the first to step out of the car.
At that moment, Charlene’s phone began to ring. It was Jasmine calling.
Charlene chose not to answer. Perhaps it was because she’d spent so little time with Jasmine in recent months, often ignoring her calls. Lately, whenever they met, Jasmine seemed clingier than ever, much like when Charlene used to care for her all by herself. The phone buzzed again. Charlene glanced at it but still didn’t pick up. Instead, she switched it off and joined the Ross family in the dining room, getting ready for dinner.
Just as she settled into her seat, the house phone rang.
Charlene instantly knew who it was…
“I’ll get it,” she said, standing up and briskly walking to the phone.
Sure enough, it was Jasmine on the other end.
As soon as she heard Charlene’s voice, Jasmine’s tone brightened. “Mom!” she exclaimed, sounding delighted.
“Have you eaten yet?” Charlene asked her.
Not yet,” Jasmine replied, sounding a bit down. “Mom, are you at Great-grandma’s? I want to come over. Can
ou eat with me later?”
Helena, overhearing, asked, “Is that Minnie on the phone?”
Charlene nodded. “Yes.”
“Is Minnie missing you?” Helena set down her fork and approached. “If she wants to come over, contact Thorne and have him bring her here. We’ll save some food for her.” Charlene sighed. “Alright, I got it.”
Turning back to the phone, she told Jasmine, “Okay, you can come over now.”
“Yay!”
Before hanging up, Charlene remembered to add, “Make sure you tell your dad before you leave.”
“Got it!”
The Ross family members were willing to wait for Jasmine before starting dinner, but Charlene insisted they go ahead.
About an hour later, Jasmine finally arrived at the Ross house. As soon as she walked through the door, she dashed toward Charlene. “Mom! I’m back!”
“Good,” Charlene said while straightening Jasmine’s clothes. “Let me heat up some food for you.”
“Okay!”
Jasmine set down her backpack and tablet, then followed Charlene into the kitchen.
With Vernon and his wife out taking Nadine and the others to school, Helena stayed home. Watching Jasmine cling to Charlene like a little shadow, Helena smiled warmly, not wanting to interrupt their reunion. Charlene instructed Jasmine to wait outside while she reheated the food.
Jasmine obediently sat in the dining room, waiting for Charlene to bring out the warmed-up meal.
Jasmine was usually a picky eater, often turning her nose up at leftovers. But today, she didn’t seem to mind and ate with gusto.
As she ate, she animatedly recounted her day to Charlene. “Mom, I went out with Granger and Daisy today!”