Divorce Time

Chapter 48

Charlene stepped out of the kitchen and immediately saw Thorne lounging on the living room couch, deeply engrossed in the morning

paper.

He glanced up momentarily upon seeing her before his attention swiftly returned to the articles before him.

Charlene paused mid–step.

In the past, she would have seized this quiet moment to sit beside him, enjoying his company without disturbing his reading. But then, there seemed to be an unspoken void between them.

With a heavy heart, she turned to head upstairs, and Thorne made no move to stop her.

But Charlene couldn’t help but feel puzzled. She half–expected him to confront her about the incident with Stewart and their supposed unfair treatment of Vesta. But he remained silent.

As Charlene reached the top of the stairs, Jasmine emerged from her room, looking pale and groggy, “Mommy, I’m starving. Is the soup ready?”

“Almost,” Charlene replied, turning to Latonia, “Is it still cooking?”

Latonia chuckled. “All done.”

relieved, Charlene returned to the kitchen. After a few minutes, she popped her head out

soup, Charlene noticed Thorne had followed them into the kitchen.

puzzled. “Mommy, why is there only one bowl?

wanted to eat, Latonia quickly said,

plan on eating herself but always made extra. Given Jasmine’s small appetite, there would be enough for

was unmistakable. His long fingers delicately stirred his bowl with a grace

erkled with delight after tasting her soup, “It’s been ages. This

back home, you can have it

not

from her, equally silent.

high spirits. Turning to Charlene, she pleaded, “Mommy, can you sleep with me tonight?” Charlene was about to refuse, but noticing

soup

didn’t eat much either. They left the

unfinished.

the weather, Jasmine insisted on bathing to stay clean. Concerned she might catch a chill, Charlene supervised

Jasmine into bed, Charlene hesitated

seen. She half–expected to find