Unknown Divorce Revelation Beyond Time

Charlene was just about to speak when Thorne cut in first. "Your mom's busy with work. Don't bother her."

Jasmine pouted, clearly displeased, her wide, hopeful eyes fixed on Charlene.

Charlene crouched down to meet her daughter's gaze. "I have to go back to the office for a meeting, and right after that, I need to visit another client. It's really not convenient to bring you along this time. Next time, sweetheart, I promise."

Jasmine's face fell, her voice muffled with disappointment, but she finally let go of Charlene's hand. "Okay..."

Irma was still asleep, and there wasn't much to say between Helena and Thorne. So, when Charlene left, Helena quietly left with her.

Inside the elevator, Helena's voice was low and even. "He's not worried you'll be distracted if Minnie goes to the office with you. He's worried someone he knows will see her there, isn't he?"

Charlene understood exactly what she meant.

If word got out that she and Thorne were still technically married, Vesta would be the first to suffer.

To protect Vesta, Thorne had every reason to keep their not-quite-divorced status under wraps until everything was finalized.

When they reached the ground floor, Charlene watched Helena's car pull away before turning on her heel and heading for her own car.

At the hospital, as Granger Harden stepped out of his car, he immediately recognized Charlene's profile in the distance.

He opened his mouth to call out, but Charlene was already driving out of the parking lot.

The words died on Granger's lips.

side and clapped him on the shoulder. “Lost in

back to reality, Granger followed Moran inside and

Jasmine greeted

ruffling Jasmine's hair before placing the fruit basket he'd

noticed the gifts Charlene and Helena had brought earlier, neatly arranged nearby. On one package, a card was tucked under the ribbon, Charlene's handwriting clear and delicate:

something inside Granger softened. He found himself staring at the card, lost in thought, eyes lingering on

so distracted, he didn't notice Moran calling his name at first. "Granger, come sit with

both Moran and Thorne

gaze, Granger instinctively looked away.

then shifted it so it was right next to the

Granger sat down than

It was Vesta.

at the screen, then

of concern. "How's Mrs.

"Not yet."

Is she feeling any

"Much better."

I speak to her

"Of course."

the phone

lit up. "Is that