Chapter 171
In the divorce agreement, she made it crystal clear she wanted nothing.
No splitting of assets or custody battle over Jasmine, she figured he’d promptly have her sign the divorce
papers.
But since she left the agreement and returned home, about three months had passed without a peep from him. As Charlene was about to bring this up, a knock sounded at the door.
Then, Terence Henderson’s voice echoed, “Charlene, heard you were under the weather. Feeling any better?”
Before Charlene could respond, Thorne called out, “Come in.”
The door had been left ajar, given the foot traffic earlier.
Following Thorne’s invitation, Terence stepped in, greeting his brother first, “Hey.”
Thorne grunted an acknowledgment.
Terence’s gaze landed on Charlene. Their interactions had been few, and knowing he was concerned but unsure what to say, she broke the silence, “I’m much better now.”
Scratching his head, Terence replied, “Oh, good, good.”
Charlene smiled and said, “It’s been a while since you’ve been back.”
“Yeah… I missed the food here, so I decided to come visit. When I got here, granny told me you were running a
fever.”
Soon after, Irma came up, relieved to see Charlene looking better, “The soup’s ready in the kitchen. Ableson said you could have some. Shall we go down together, or do you want Thorne to bring it up for you?”
With no real appetite and feeling her room was too stuffy, Charlene opted to go downstairs and spend time with the family.
Terence didn’t see Jasmine, so he asked, “Where’s Minnie?”
Irma responded, “She had a bit to eat earlier. Couldn’t drink much, we’ll try again later.”
Charlene, now seated, accepted the bowl of soup passed by the butler, blowing on it gently before taking smalf sips.
Thorne sat beside her, his phone buzzing with a new message. Perhaps to keep her from seeing, he angled his body away slightly, engrossed in his phone.
Charlene continued her soup in silence.
Irma, noticing Thorne’s distraction, chided, “Can’t whatever it is wait until after the soup?”
“Just a sec,” Thorne replied.
The soup was soon finished.
“Maybe a few more sips?” Irma suggested.
Charlene declined, standing up, “No, I’m full.”
Though Thorne had turned slightly, Charlene inadvertently caught a glimpse of him texting Vesta, seemingly explaining some project details.
Realizing she noticed, Thorne moved further away. But Charlene had already lost interest, settling in the living room with a newspaper.
Shortly after, Terence offered her some freshly washed fruit.
09:35
“No, thanks. You have it,” Charlene said, looking up to see Thorne already heading upstairs, phone in hand.
$ife looked away.
Terence sat beside her, catching her attention with a glance. “What’s up?” she inquired.
“Well, I’m not as sharp as you or my brother, and I’m having trouble with some physics problems…”
Before Charlene could respond, Terence added, “I wanted to ask my brother, but he’s tied up. Said you could help me out.”
