Chapter 317
It was a typical afternoon when Charlene was deep in the middle of a meeting. Just as she was about to make an important point, her phone buzzed. It was Jasmine calling again. Without a second thought, Charlene hit the decline button.
Not a minute passed before Jasmine’s name flashed on the screen again. Charlene frowned, her attention momentarily wavering, but she ignored the call once more. This time, Jasmine didn’t call back.
Charlene refocused on the meeting. Several minutes later, her phone buzzed yet again.
This time, it was Thorne.
Charlene pressed her lips together, feeling her patience thinning, and promptly turned her phone off.
An hour later, the meeting finally wrapped up. Charlene powered her phone back on, only to be greeted with a message from Thorne.
“Minnie fell down the stairs at school and is in the hospital.”
Charlene was momentarily paralyzed, her mind going blank. Panic surged through her as she grabbed her bag and bolted from the office, heading straight to the hospital.
Once she arrived, she immediately called Thorne to find out where exactly in the hospital they were. Thorne answered promptly and gave her the room number.
Charlene hurried to the VIP ward and pushed the door open.
Inside the room, Thorne was seated next to a hospital bed where Jasmine lay. Her face was pale, and her head was bandaged. Despite appearing weary, she managed a weak smile upon seeing Charlene and murmured, “Mom…”
Charlene rushed to her side, her heart in her throat. “What did the doctors say?”
Thorne answered, “They said it’s a concussion, not too severe.”
Charlene exhaled a sigh of relief. “That’s a relief.”
Then Thorne asked, “Did you eat anything?”
Charlene realized it was already past seven, and she hadn’t had dinner. She shook her head.
Without a word, Thorne picked up his phone and ordered some takeout.
Jasmine hadn’t seen Charlene in over two weeks and seemed listless. She clung to Charlene, silent and tired.
Charlene held her gently, whispering, “How about you try to get some sleep?”
Jasmine nodded, “Okay…”
She gripped Charlene’s hand tightly, shutting her eyes. Though her brow was furrowed, she eventually drifted off to sleep.
Soon after, the meal Thorne ordered arrived.
“Go ahead and eat,” Thorne suggested.
Charlene shook her head. “I’ll order something myself.”
Thorne glanced at her but didn’t argue. Charlene picked up her phone and placed her own order.
As Jasmine slept, Charlene sat quietly beside her.
Thorne left the room to take a call and returned some time later, settling into the chair across from her.
14:23
He looked like he wanted to say something, but Charlene kept her eyes glued to her phone, clearly showing no interest in talking.
Thorne noticed and chuckled softly, choosing to remain silent.
The room was steeped in quiet, both of them absorbed in their own thoughts.
As night deepened, Jasmine remained asleep. Thorne looked over at Charlene and offered, “I’ll stay tonight. You should go home and rest.” Charlene glanced at Jasmine, neither agreeing nor leaving.
Thorne sighed, “I get that you’re upset, but maybe try picking up Minnie’s calls more often. You never know when it might be something serious.”
His words hit Charlene like a splash of cold water. Did he know she often ignored Jasmine’s calls?