Chapter 287
“Dad, Ms. Hawkins!”
As soon as they stepped out of the airport, Jasmine spotted Thorne and Vesta, She quickly let go of Latonia’s hand and dashed toward them, launching herself into their arms.
Inside the car, Jasmine rummaged through her backpack, pulling out quirky little trinkets she’d picked up during her travels to show Vesta and Thorne, “Dad, Ms. Hawkins, I got you guys some gifts!”
Vesta accepted them, gently ruffling Jasmine’s hair with a smile. “Thank you, Minnie
Today was the day Irma was discharged from the hospital, so Thorne and Jasmine were headed back to the family home for dinner.
After leaving the airport and dropping Vesta off at her place, Thorne instructed the driver to turn the car towards the family estate.
In the car, Thorne was busy with work.
Jasmine didn’t bother him, keeping herself entertained with her own thoughts.
Once they reached the family estate, Jasmine jumped out of the car, her backpack bouncing as she ran towards the house, calling out, “Mom, Mom!”
Thorne packed up his laptop and got out of the car, responding leisurely, “Your mom’s not here.”
Jasmine stopped in her tracks, turning back to him with a puzzled expression. “Huh? Mom’s not here?”
“That’s right.”
“Is she still busy with work?”
Thorne gently tousled her hair. “Maybe you could give her a call and find out.”
“Oh…”
Lately, every time Jasmine tried calling her mom, she got no answer.
It wasn’t as tough when she was at home, but being abroad felt different. Even though her dad and Ms. Hawkins called and video-chatted with her daily, she still felt a pang of loneliness and homesickness without them nearby. During those first days in a foreign country, she missed her mom the most. She called her every day. But her mom never picked up.
Eventually, she got used to it, figuring her mom was probably too busy to answer. So she stopped calling.
Before coming back, she secretly hoped her mom would be at the airport to greet her.
But when Dad and Ms. Hawkins said they would pick her up, she didn’t call her mom.
She assumed her mom would definitely be at the family home.
But now…
Thinking about it made Jasmine not want to call her mom anymore. She felt that even if she did, her mom probably wouldn’t have time to answer.
When she got to the estate and realized Charlene wasn’t there, the excitement of coming home quickly faded.
Thorne crouched down, gently pinching her cheek, raising an eyebrow. “Are you crying?”
Jasmine pouted and turned her head away. “No, I’m not!”
Thorne said, “Have you given up? Don’t want to call your mom anymore?”
Jasmine didn’t reply immediately. After a moment, she mumbled softly, “N-no, I still want to call her.”
Thorne chuckled, not pushing further, and lifted her up into his arms. “Let’s head inside.”
Jasmine wrapped her arms around Thorne’s neck, snuggling into his warm, comforting embrace, her mood improving a bit.
The whole Henderson family was waiting for them to start dinner.
When they walked in, everyone turned to look.
Especially Irma, who beamed at the sight of Jasmine. “Minnie, you’re back! Come over here, let me have a good look at you.”
Jasmine hopped out of Thorne’s arms, running over to her great-grandmother. “Great-grandma!”
Then she greeted the others, “Grandma, Aunt Claudia, Uncle Terence.”
Claudia and Tiffany both acknowledged her, though their responses were quite reserved.
Terence, on the other hand, was delighted. He stood up, picked her up, and began to playfully tease her.
Jasmine giggled happily at his antics.
Suddenly, Terence turned his head and asked, “Hey bro, where’s Charlene?”