Divorce Time

Chapter 2

He had completely forgotten it was Charlene’s birthday. Even though Charlene had braced herself for disappointment, she still couldn’t help but feel a sting of sadness.

After getting ready for the day, she was about to head downstairs when she heard Jasmine and their nanny, Latonia, chatting away.

“Is everything alright, sweetie? You seem a bit down,” Latonia inquired, concern lacing her voice.

Jasmine answered sadly, “I was really looking forward to hitting the beach with Ms. Hawkins tomorrow. Dad and I had everything planned. Now that Mom’s shown up out of nowhere, it’d be kind of awkward if she came with us. And Mom’s always so mean to Ms. Hawkins.”

Latonia said, “Honey, she’s your mom. You shouldn’t talk like that. It could hurt her feelings.”

“I know, but Dad and I like Ms. Hawkins more. Can’t I have Ms. Hawkins be my mom?”

Charlene couldn’t make out Latonia’s response after that. She had raised Jasmine with all the love a mother could give. Yet these past two years, the father–daughter bond had seemingly grown stronger with her husband, Thorne, spending more time with Jasmine. Thome had moved to Goldland last year to expand his business, and Jasmine insisted on going with him.

Charlene had hoped Jasmine would want to stay with her. But she couldn’t

down, rooting her to the spot. She had taken time off work to come to Goldland, hoping to spend more quality time with Jasmine. But it seemed utterly pointless

the gifts she

child out, telling Charlene to

emptiness. She had made this trip, leaving her job

house and wandered through this land that was both

conversation, she hesitated on whether to go back

need to

had grown accustomed to this. To Thorne, work or social gatherings and everything seemed more

her feelings. Did it hurt? Maybe it once did. But

eager and hopeful, only to be met with

she knew it, she was standing outside a restaurant she and Thorne used to go to all the time. As she was about to enter, she spotted Thorne, Vesta Hawkins, and Jasmine inside, cozily seated together.

engaging warmly with their daughter, sharing laughs and bites of her pastry while Thorne looked on with affection,

daughter, born from Charlene’s

woman.