After Charlene and Malvina left, Vesta just stood there, frozen in place, unable to

snap out of it for a long time.

She only came to her senses when Maureen Spencer, who had been waiting for

her at the restaurant, called to hurry her along after noticing she was running late.

Vesta hung up, walked into the restaurant, and was immediately met with

Maureen's concerned gaze. "What's wrong? Are you feeling alright?" Maureen

asked.

Vesta shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, as if all the energy had been drained from

her. She looked lost and distracted, her whole demeanor off in a way that

Maureen couldn't ignore.

Maureen frowned, worry etched across her face.

...

Not long after Charlene got home from dinner, her phone buzzed with a message

from Thorne.

*Something urgent came up at Stonepine. After I get back, I'll need to delay my

return to Starfall by a few days.*

Charlene read the message, took a deep breath, and felt her mood sink.

But she'd just broken a promise herself not two weeks ago, so no matter how

she knew she couldn't make a fuss

If it

her phone aside

returned to

back in the office after a two-week absence, Gaylord grinned.

back?"

Charlene nodded. "Yeah."

started at PrimeStar, Charlene had

said she had personal

what could possibly keep her away for so

she must have been sorting

and custody battles

if she'd managed

Charlene dove back into

days later, instead of a call from Thorne, she received

mother, Claudia.

"My mother-in-law's come down

the flu, complicated by

respiratory disease and respiratory

She's in

Oak Healthcare.

see you."

time for surprise. As soon

and

When she arrived, Tiffany

Henderson, Terence Henderson,

and the

butler were all

anxiously outside the ER.

Charlene and pursed her lips, saying nothing.

remained silent as well.

greeted

and instead

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