Chapter 90
Charlene helped Jasmine into her pajamas after a warm shower and was drying Jasmine’s hair. Jasmine watched Charlene’s focused face in silence, suddenly realizing that Charlene had become unusually quiet. It used to be that Charlene would fill their time with endless
chatter.
Catching Jasmine’s thoughtful gaze, Charlene asked, “What’s on your mind, love?”
Jasmine shook her head. “Nothing.”
Maybe she was overthinking things. Or perhaps Charlene had something on her mind and didn’t feel like talking.
Once her hair was dry, Jasmine tumbled on her bed and asked, “Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?”
Charlene paused, then asked, “Do you want me to stay with you tonight, sweetie?”
“I don’t mind either way. But you haven’t slept with Dad for a while. Don’t you want to sleep with him tonight?”
‘ll head back in a bit.”
Charlene hadn’t finalized the divorce papers with Thorne yet. If Jasmine hadn’t asked her to stay, staying in their room could stir up drama, especially if Irma found out.
Charlene left Jasmine’s room and found the light in their bedroom still on. Thorne was sitting by the desk, busy on his laptop.
He looked up when she walked in. Charlene quickly diverted her gaze and headed to the closet to grab her nightgown, then slipped into the bathroom to take a shower. When she came out, Thorne was still typing away.
Dressed in her nightgown, Charlene sat at the edge of the bed, completing her skincare routine before settling in with a book, considering it was still early.
They were wrapped up in their worlds in the bedroom without exchanging.
Close to midnight, Charlene couldn’t keep her eyes open anymore. She put her book away, turned off her bedside lamp, and slept.
Charlene and Thorne hadn’t shared a bed in ages and thought it would be hard to fall asleep. She also half-expected Thorne to leave after finishing his work to be with Vesta.
With these thoughts, Charlene drifted off, the soft clicking of the keyboard lulling her to sleep. She slept surprisingly well, feeling cozy and warm under the covers.
As Charlene was about to get up, she felt a warm breath near her ear and realized she was holding someghe. Stiffening, she quickly became fully awake.
Charlene opened her eyes and found herself snuggled up against Thorne, who was holding her tight with legs around her and sleeping deeply. They were so close that there was hardly any space between them. Charlene could feel the warmth of his chest and the strength of his arms, taking pride in the fact that she was
a peaceful sleeper.
The night before, she had consciously slept on the edge, thinking that even if she and Thorne were in the same bed, there would be a gap between them. So, it seemed unlikely she had rolled into his arms unless Thorne > had grown used to sleeping with Vesta during their separation and had mistaken her for Vesta in his
half-asleep state.
With this thought, Charlene withdrew her hand from Thorne’s chest, slowly making a fist.
She tried to move out of his embrace, but her movement seemed to have woken him. Thorne’s grip tightened, pulling her closer into his embrace.
Caught off guard, Charlene was about to protest when a kiss landed on her forehead. “Sleep a bit longer.”
Thorne could never have said those words to her.