After returning from Jade City, Charlene had a couple of days off.


    She spent the first day resting. The next morning, just after she finished breakfast, her phone rang.


    It was Thorne.


    ncing at the screen, Charlene answered, "What''s up?"


    “Grandma was discharged from the hospital a couple days ago. She wants you toe over for lunch at the old house."


    Charlene was already aware of Irma''s discharge. At the time, though, she''d been away on a business trip in Jade City and hadn''t been able to make it to the hospital herself.


    "Got it," she replied.


    She was about to hang up when Thorne added, "I''lle pick you up."


    "No need. I''ll drive my-"


    "Minnie said she wants me to go with her to pick you up from the Ross ce. She''s already got her shoes on."


    Charlene paused. "...Alright."


    "We''ll be there soon."


    Charlene didn''t say anything, and Thorne hung up.


    About half an hourter, Thorne and Jasmine arrived at the Ross residence.


    The rest of the family was out. Jasmine, spotting Charlene, hopped out of the car and ran over, hugging her tight. "Mom!"


    Thorne rolled down the driver''s window, turning his head to watch them.


    Once they were on the road, Jasmine chatted away about her recent adventures and told Charlene that she''d already brought the gift Charlene had bought her to the old house.


    While Charlene and Jasmine talked, Thorne focused on driving. After Jasmine ran out of stories, Thorne nced at Charlene in the rearview mirror. "You''re off these two days?"


    "Yeah."<fn439f> The source of th?s content is find[?]ovel</fn439f>


    With nothing else to say, Thorne fell silent, and the rest of the ride passed quietly. Irma adored Charlene, and seeing her at the old house made her visibly happy. Charlene rxed when she saw how much Irma''s health had improved.


    Thorne, busy as ever, spent most of the time fielding phone calls while Charlene kept Irmapany.


    After


    stick a Charlene had nned to


    stick around for a bit before heading home the afternoon. But a


    torrential downpour started and showed no sign of letting up.


    s


    Still recovering, Irma needed her afternoon rest. Thorne suggested, "If you''re tired, go upstairs and get some sleep."


    Before Charlene could respond, Jasmine grabbed her hand and tugged her up the stairs.


    Charlene didn''t head for Thorne''s room, but instead followed Jasmine to her own.


    She had cleared out most of her personal belongings from Thorne''s house ages ago, but hadn''t bothered with the old family home. There were still a few changes of clothes


    in Jasmine''s closet.


    to s


    Once in the room, Charlene started looking for some pajamas. As she rummaged


    through Jasmine''s wardrobe, Thorne knocked on the door.


    Charlene turned, but before she could say anything, Thorne seemed to realize


    what she was looking for and let it go withoutment.


    His gaze shifted to Jasmine, sprawled out on the bed. "She asleep?"


    "Yeah."


    Thorne nodded. "Rest well."


    With that, he closed the door quietly behind him and walked away.


    It had been a long time since


    Charlene had stayed at the old house. She thought she''d have trouble sleeping but as soon as shey down next to Jasmine, drowsiness overtook her and she drifted off.  s


    When she woke, her temples ached from sleeping so long, and Jasmine was already gone.


    After freshening up, Charlene headed downstairs. Irma and Jasmine were nowhere to be seen-only Thorne sat in the living room, reading.


    He looked up as she appeared, closing his book. "You''re up?"