Divorce Time

Chapter 213

Jasmine wasn’t around, so Charlene gave a small smile and said, “We’re about to split up.”

Sally’s mom had suspected as much. After all, even though Charlene had a daughter, she lived alone just across the street…

Besides, the last time there was a parent–teacher meeting, Charlene didn’t show up. Instead, a glamorous

woman turned up.

Thorne, ever the sociable one, greeted them with a, “Hey there.”

Sally’s mom replied, “Hey…”

Thorne asked, “You two know each other?”

Though he directed the question at Sally’s mom, his eyes were fixed on Charlene.

Charlene wasn’t interested in engaging with him, so she stayed silent. Sally’s mom answered, “Charlene and I

te neighbors.”

Noticing the awkward vibes between Charlene and Thorne, and seeing that Charlene seemed eager to dodge him, she quickly found a reason to slip away.

Thorne commented, “Looks like you’re getting along well with the new neighbor.”

Charlene just glanced down at her phone.

Thorne didn’t seem bothered, but he didn’t push any further.

Right about then, Jasmine returned, and the school’s family event was about to kick off.

Charlene had attended this sort of event back in Jasmine’s first year at preschool. But after Jasmine and Thorne went abroad last year, she hadn’t been to one since.

The first activity on the agenda was a good old–fashioned game of musical chairs.

The game was straightforward: set up chairs in a circle, two less than the number of families playing. Parents and their kids would walk around the chairs while the music played. When the music stopped, it was a scramble to find a seat. The family left standing would be eliminated. The last family remaining would be crowned the champions.

Thorne looked at Charlene, “You want to do it, or should I?”

Charlene was about to say, “You go ahead,” but Jasmine piped up first, “Dad’s got this.”

Thorne turned to Charlene, “What do you think?”

Charlene nodded, “You go ahead.”

“Alright,” Thorne handed her his phone, “You can record it then.”

Charlene hesitated, not wanting to use his phone, “I’ll use mine and send it to you later.”

and pocketed his phone.

Jasmine in his arms, Thorne joined the other parents, forming a circle around the chairs.

to video mode, and focused

Thorne glanced over at

caught his face.

a

her phone a bit

Chapter 21

back,

the other parents.

stopped suddenly. Thorne, fast on his feet, grabbed the nearest chair and sat down with Jasmine, sporting a big grin.

Jasmine waved excitedly at Charlene, “Mom, we got the

“I

figured both Thorne and Jasmine

the games began, just being lifted into Thorne’s

chair, she was even more

catching Charlene’s eye,

Chapter 213

smile and said, “We’re

even though Charlene

last time there was a parent–teacher meeting, Charlene

woman turned up.

ever the sociable one, greeted them with a, “Hey

mom replied,

“You two know each

Sally’s mom, his eyes were fixed on

wasn’t interested in engaging with him, so she stayed silent. Sally’s

te neighbors.”

and seeing that Charlene seemed eager to dodge him, she quickly found a reason to slip away.

like you’re getting along well

down at

didn’t seem bothered, but he didn’t

and the school’s family event was about

of event back in Jasmine’s first year at preschool. But after Jasmine and Thorne went abroad last year, she hadn’t been

activity on the agenda was a good old–fashioned game of

was straightforward: set up chairs in a circle, two less than the number of families playing. Parents and their kids would walk around the chairs while the music played. When the music stopped, it was a scramble to find a seat. The family left

to do it, or

was about to say, “You go ahead,” but Jasmine piped up first, “Dad’s got this.”

Charlene, “What

“You go ahead.”

her his phone, “You can record

“I’ll use mine and send it to you later.”