She was always saying how busy she was, how she simply didn''t have the time.


    But no matter how busy you are, you can always spare a minute for a phone call, right?


    Yet whenever Jasmine called her, she rarely called back. As for her actually calling Jasmine first-that was even rarer.


    It felt as if, in her mother''s eyes, everything else in the world was more important than her.


    The more Jasmine thought about it, the more wronged she felt, and tears streamed silently down her cheeks.


    Seeing Jasmine like this, Charlene hadn''t even found the words tofort her before Thorne stepped in. He gently wiped away her tears and said, "Your mom really is swamped with work right now, but next year, things should calm down for her. After that, she''ll probably have more time."


    Jasmine was still just a child, and Thorne''s soothing words eased her hurt a little. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, eyes shining with hope as she looked at Charlene. "Really? Next year, will Mom really have more time for me?"


    Jasmine was, after all, the daughter Charlene had carried for nine months and brought into this world. Even though she''d given up custody, Charlene still wanted the best for her.


    Staring into Jasmine''s hopeful eyes, Charlene couldn''t bring herself to shatter that fragile expectation-not right now.


    But Thorne''s promise, that she''d be less busy next year, wasn''t something Charlene could give so lightly.


    "My projects will probably be wrapped up by the end of this year," Charlene said carefully, "but next year, there might be other things I have to take care of. So... I can''t promise that I''ll definitely have more free time."


    It wasn''t what Jasmine wanted to hear, not really. But having caught that flicker of guilt on Charlene''s face, Jasmine knew her mom still cared about her.


    That understanding was enough. Her mood brightened.


    She slid off Thorne''sp and ran over to throw her arms around Charlene. "That''s okay. But when you do have time, you have to answer my calls, okay?"


    Charlene hesitated, ncing at Thorne.


    He met her gaze, but his expression was unreadable-he seemed determined not to interfere, leaving the choice up to her.


    Charlene looked away and was silent for a moment before answering, "I''ll try my best."


    Jasmine''s bad moods always came and went quickly. Now that her sadness had faded, she was easy to cheer up. "Okay!"


    At that moment, the waitress knocked and brought in their food.


    They all took their seats again.


    Bet


    Jasmine pulled her chair closer to Charlene''s side, her spirits lifted as she chatted about the


    things


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    scrimmage while she ate.


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    Halfway through, she even pulled a tablet out of her little purse to show Charlene some photos from that day.


    While Jasmine chattered away,


    yet


    4ietly made sure she had


    to eat, deboning fish and setting food on her te.  s>


    The meal stretched on, with Jasmine talking almost non-stop.


    Eventually when she got tired and sleepy she knew Charlene didn''t


    have the strength to carry her


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    she crawled into Thorne''sp and drifted off.  s


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    Once Jasmine was asleep, only Thorne and Charlene remained, sitting in silence.


    Charlene nced down at Jasmine, then picked up her purse and stood. "I''ll head out first. Take good care of her."


    Thorne nodded. "I will."


    Charlene didn''t say anything more. She opened the door and left the private dining room.


    Thorne sat quietly with Jasmine in his arms for a while before finally getting up and carrying her out.