On Thursday, Charlene didn''t apany Jasmine to the out-of-townpetition. Jasmine, however, wasn''t upset; she just pouted and pleaded, asking Charlene to take her out for some fun when she returned from thepetition and its events.
Unable to resist Jasmine''s yful coaxing, Charlene agreed.
The next couple of days were busy at work, and Charlene didn''t make it to the hospital to visit Irma.
It wasn''t until Friday morning that she finally stopped by.
Just outside the hospital, Charlene spotted Vesta, her head wrapped in bandages, slowly making her way downstairs for a walk.
Vesta was on the phone. "I''m much better, sweetheart. Minnie, just focus on yourpetition, okay? Don''t worry about your aunt."
As she finished speaking, Vesta nced up and, upon seeing Charlene, immediately looked away with a cold indifference.
Whatever was said on the other end, Vesta continued, "Promise you''ll call me as soon as you find out the results? Haha, alright, I''ll keep my phone close so I won''t miss your call. It''s almost time for you to meet up with your teacher, so go ahead. Good luck."
It was barely even eight in the morning.
Just like always, Jasmine had called Vesta first thing.
Charlene caught all this as she passed by, her expression unreadable, and headed straight for the elevator.
When she entered the hospital room, she learned that Irma, finding the room stuffy, had decided to go for a walk as well.
Setting down the bouquet she''d brought, Charlene turned and made her way downstairs.
By the time she reached the hospital garden, she spotted Maureen and Vesta together.
And there, a short distance away, was Irma.
Irma, however, wasn''t with them.
She probably didn''t even know Vesta was hospitalized-she didn''t seem to notice Maureen and Vesta at all.<fn844a> This update is avable on FindN0vel</fn844a>
It was Maureen and Vesta who kept their eyes on Irma.
When they noticed Charlene approaching, both Maureen and Vesta quickly
looked away and headed off in the opposite direction.
It wasn''t until Charlene got closer that Irma realized she was there.
Instantly, Irma''s face lit up with a gentle smile. "Charlene, you''re here!"
"Hi, Grandma," Charlene replied.
Even though Maureen and Vesta had walked away, they could still see the smile on Irma''s face as clear as day.
They''d considered going over to greet Irma, but after hearing she''d been taken ill so suddenly-so seriously that if she hadn''t made it to the hospital within minutes, she might not have survived they decided against it, not wanting to risk upsetting her. s
Irma''s obvious affection for Charlene didn''t bother Maureen much, though. She remarked, "I heard the olddy can''t control.
Thorne anymore. So what if
adores Charlene Thorne''s stif determined to divorce her, isn''t he?" s
By the same token, even if Irma didn''t like them, if Thorne insisted on marrying her daughter, not even Irma''s anger could stand in the way.
Besides, with Irma''s sudden illness-rumor had it she''d nearly died-if Thorne was truly concerned about her, wouldn''t he have held off on the divorce?
But he hadn''t. Irma hadn''t used her illness to pressure Thorne, either.
That could only mean one thing: Irma had epted the divorce, maybe even prepared herself for Thorne to marry Maureen''s daughter.
"So there''s no need to rush," Maureen concluded.
After this incident, she realized Thorne cared about her more than she''d thought.
Her heart settled a little. There was no need to be impatient.
Still, seeing Irma''s warmth toward Charlene and coldness toward her gnawed at her, just a little.
But in the end, what happened
between her and Thorne was up to
him. Since Irma couldn''t truly stand
in her way, why should she care
what Irma or the Henderson family
thought? s
With that, Vesta let it go. Irma''s opinion, or the Hendersons'' approval, no longer
mattered.