Divorce Time 39
Just then, his phone rang. Charlene glanced over and saw “Sweetheart’ flash across the phone screen on the table.
She thought she’d be over it by now. But after putting her heart into this relationship for years, could she truly drop it like it was nothing? The word pierced her eyes, and she quickly looked away.
When Thome looked up, he noticed the deep pain in Charlene’s eyes, but he unhesitatingly answered the call right before her, his voice soft as he spoke, “What’s up?”
Jasmine also noticed the commotion on Thorne’s end. In her memory, Thome only showed this tender side when talking to Vesta
Forgetting Charlene was there, she excitedly asked, “Dad, is it Ms. Hawkins?”
Thorne replied in a mild tone, “Yeah.”
As Jasmine was about to say she wanted to talk to Vesta too, she remembered Charlene was there and that Charlene didn’t like Vesta, so she swallowed her words.
But her good mood was affected. She frowned slightly, wishing Charlene could get along with Vesta, Whatever Vesta said made Thorne frown with concern, leaving his breakfast unfinished as he hurried out Seeing Thorne rush off, Jasmine couldn’t help but worry. But with Charlene there, she didn’t voice her concerns. Losing her appetite, she tugged Charlene to stand up, saying, “Mommy, I’m done eating. Let’s head out.” Charlene saw Jasmine’s reactions, understanding her rush was to check on Vesta. But she said nothing.
“You’ve hardly eaten anything. Take some with you for the car.”
Jasmine rejected. “No, I’m not hungry-”
Charlene paused. She didn’t insist further.
In the car, Jasmine didn’t wait a second longer. As soon as she sat in the backseat, she immediately texted Vesta.
Charlene saw but remained silent.
A bit later, Vesta got back to them, saying it was just a minor fever and a cold, nothing to worry about.
Yet, hearing Vesta’s slightly hoarse voice over the messages, Jasmine got worried and quickly texted that she would visit after school. Sending the message, Jasmine felt guilty. It had been a while since she’d eaten Charlene’s cooking, and she had planned to have dinner together. Fortunately, she hadn’t mentioned it yet.
After a stealthy glance at Charlene in the driver’s seat and seeing she hadn’t noticed, Jasmine felt relieved.
Upon reaching school, Jasmine hugged Charlene affectionately. “Mom, I’m heading in now.”
“Okay.”
Jasmine didn’t notice how cold Charlene’s reply was as she breezed into school.
Charlene received a message in the office stating Thorne had an urgent matter, pushing the meeting from 10 a.m. to the afternoon. Thorne’s “urgent matter” was taking care of the sick Vesta. Charlene showed no reaction, focusing on her work. Around 2 p.m., Thorne must have returned to the office because Josh announced a 3 p.m. meeting and asked her to prepare a cup of coffee for Thorne.
When Thorne entered the meeting room, Charlene’s typing paused.
He had changed his clothes. Not the ones from the morning. He had visited Vesta in the morning. Whether or not something happened between them, Thorne might have just wanted to comfort Vesta, maybe even lying beside her to help her fall asleep. With that thought, she zoned out for a moment. Thinking she was daydreaming about Thorne inappropriately, she returned to reality to find Thorne looking at her coldly.
Charlene’s fist tightened as she thought about his gentle treatment of Vesta and his icy, impatient behaviour towards her. She quickly turned away.
Shortly after the meeting, Josh dropped by and told her that her transition work was nearly complete and that she wouldn’t need to
come to the office the next day.
Charlene replied, “I understand.”
Even if Josh hadn’t mentioned it, she would have approached him after finishing her tasks. His visit saved her the trip.
Josh was surprised at how readily Charlene agreed.