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.”

minutes, she popped

noticed Thorne had

puzzled. “Mommy, why is there only

hadn’t realized Thorne wanted to

on eating herself but always made extra. Given Jasmine’s small appetite,

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

eyes erkled with delight after tasting her soup, “It’s

home, you can have

silently, not joining

sat across from her,

Turning to Charlene, she pleaded, “Mommy, can you sleep with me tonight?” Charlene was about to refuse, but noticing Jasmine’s pale

soup

only managed one bowl, and Thorne didn’t eat much either. They left

unfinished.

to stay clean. Concerned she might catch a chill, Charlene

into bed, Charlene hesitated before heading to the

seen. She half–expected to find her belongings