NovelUSAJasmine held Charlene's hand in one and tugged Thorne's sleeve with the other.
"Con, let's go eat!" she chirped.
Charlene hesitated, trying to slip her hand from Jasmine's grasp. But Jasmine suddenly piped up, "You know, it's been ages since I had dinner with both my mom and dad." Charlene paused, glancing at the little girl's beaming face as Jasmine clung to her and Thorne, surrounded by other children happily flanked by their parents.
Charlene's heart twisted.
She'd kept Jasmine when the unexpected pregnancy happened, her decision alone. For years after, Thorne had barely been involved in Jasmine's life.
Only in the last couple of years had Thorne started making an effort, but by then, she and Jasmine spent more tapart than together as a family.
The truth was, Jasmine had never really known what it was like to have both parents around-a normal family life.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIn that, Charlene knew she'd let her daughter down.
She'd given birth to Jasmine, raised her, but had never really given her a typical childhood.
No matter what happened between her and Thorne, they would always be Jasmine's parents.
Whatever the future held, even if they divorced, there would be times they'd have to sit down together to talk about Jasmine's future.
A family meal like this, really, wasn't so hard.
"Mom?" Jasmine shook her hand and looked up at her with bright eyes when she didn't respond.
Snapping back to the moment, Charlene glanced at Thorne, silently asking his opinion.
He was already watching her, as if he could read her mind.
"What shall we eat?" he asked.
She looked away, her voice neutral. "You pick." Thorne nodded. "Alright." Soon, they each got into their cars and drove to the restaurant.
When they arrived, they were shown to a private booth. Jasmine slid into the middle seat, and Thorne handed Charlene the menu. Then he turned to her and asked, "Will you be coming by The Henderson Group this afternoon?" "I've got other things to do, so I won't make it." "Alright." He poured her stea. Charlene nodded her thanks, then added, "Minnie's birthday is coming up. How do you want to arrange it?" Charlene hadn't celebrated Jasmine's birthday in two years.
Last year, she had planned to fly over for Jasmine's birthday, but Thorne never replied to her messages, and Jasmine seemed to be having such a good tthat she clearly didn't want her mother to come. So Charlene waited until Jasmine's actual birthday to make the trip to Goldland.
She hadn't expected things to go the way they did after she arrived.
Remembering it now, Charlene's voice was calm. "You can handle it." By then, the divorce would be finalized, and Jasmine would be living with Thorne.
He could celebrate however he wanted.
As for her, she might not even go.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWhile she was lost in thought, Jasmine spoke up. "Mom, will you cbe withon my birthday?" Charlene managed a soft smile, not promising anything. "We'll see. If I have time, I'll come." Jasmine's face fell. "Okay."
Thorne got busy with phone calls after they ordered, taking call after call. Charlene barely spoke to him again for the rest of the meal.
When they'd finished eating, Charlene was ready to leave, but Jasmine V grabbed her hand, begging her to stay a bit longer.
Charlene gave in.
Thorne seemed to have finished his business and didn't rush off. Instead, he joined them as they headed to the arcade.
Charlene ignored him, and Thorne seemed to pick up on it. He didn't press, just stood behind them watching Charlene teach Jasmine how to play the games.
After a while, Charlene kept quiet, but Jasmine worried Thorne might be ve bored. "Dad, do you want to play with us?" Thorne glanced at Charlene, who didn't look his way, and smiled..
that's alright. I'm happy just watching you both have fun.
"Okay then," Jasmine said, content.
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