In Leah''s mind, Thorne only ever cared about her sister, Vesta. He had no real interest in Charlene. So even when she saw Thorne and Charlene together, Leah barely paid them any attention. She simply assumed that if Thorne was with Charlene today, it was probably for Jasmine''s sake.


    Just as this thought crossed her mind, Leah spotted Jasmine standing in front of Charlene, head held high as she chatted animatedly.


    Leah let out a soft, dismissiveugh at the scene.


    Jasmine hadn''t noticed Leah at all; she was far too absorbed by the drum set that had caught her eye.


    "Mom, this drum kit looks amazing! I want to learn how to y!" Jasmine''s excitement bubbled over as she tugged at Charlene''s sleeve.


    Charlene had no reason to object. But with her divorce from Thorne looming and Jasmine''s custody set to go to Thorne, she knew that any decisions about Jasmine''s activities would soon be out of her hands.


    With a gentle smile, Charlene replied, "That''s something you''ll have to ask your dad about."


    Jasmine immediately turned, eyes shining. "Dad, can I?"


    Thorne smiled. "Of course you can."


    Jasmine squealed with delight, grabbing Charlene with one hand and Thorne with the other. “Then let''s go sign up right now!"


    But Thorne stayed put, bending down to ruffle Jasmine''s hair. "No rush on signing up. Since you want to learn, how about we pick out a drum set you really like first? Once you''ve chosen, I''ll find a teacher toe to the house and give you lessons."


    Jasmine''s face lit up even more. "Yes, yes! Let''s go now! I want the coolest one!" She immediately let go of Thorne''s hand, pulling Charlene out of the crowd. Over her shoulder, she called, "Dad, where do we buy a drum set?"


    Thorne pulled out his phone, following the two of them, "Let me make a few calls and find out."


    "Okay!"<fn4d5b> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? FιndＮovel</fn4d5b>


    Charlene was dragged along by Jasmine. She wanted to tell


    Jasmine she wasn''ting, but seeing how happy Jasmine


    ?????


    was how determined she was to bring her along and watching Thorne actually making calls to help, Charlene couldn''t bring herself to say no.


    s


    When Thorne finished his call, he stepped forward to walk beside Charlene, grinning. "Mind if I ride with you?"


    Charlene hadn''t even opened her mouth before Jasmine jumped in, "Yes, yes, let''s all go together!"


    Charlene could only sigh inwardly. At this point, how could she possibly refuse?


    So she joined Jasmine and Thorne, and together the three of them left the za for the parking garage.


    Leah might not have thought much


    of Charlene, but watching the three of them now-looking for all the


    world like a picture perfect


    family she couldn''t help feeli


    twinge of irritation, even though she knew Thorne actually disliked Charlene.  s


    But then, seeing how affectionate Charlene seemed with Jasmine,


    Leah found herselfforted by the thought that not only did Thorne dislike Charlene, but even


    Jasmine her own daughter clearly


    preferred Vesta, her aunt. That cheered Leah right up.  s


    Just then, the bubble tea she''d been waiting for finally arrived.


    She shot onest mocking nce at Charlene''s retreating figure, grabbed her


    drink, and turned on her heel to leave.


    She headed back to the Hawkins estate.


    Most of the family was home when she arrived.


    Spotting Vesta, Leah walked over with a smile. "You''re home early, sis!"


    She knew Vesta had a business dinner scheduled for tonight.


    Vesta gave a cool nod. "Saw the movie already?"


    "Nope, it was so boring. I left after half an hour." Leah took a sip of her bubble tea, then added, "Oh, by the way-I saw Thorne and Charlene together at the za after the movie."