Unknown Divorce Revelation Beyond Time (Charlene and Thorne) novel Chapter 478

By the time Charlene finished her work and finally came back to herself, she realized with a jolt that York was no longer in the spot he’d been before.

The days that followed blurred together as she worked around the clock, barely stopping for a breath. Only after several more days of exhaustion did she finally wrap up her tasks. She collapsed into bed and slept straight through for nearly twenty-four hours, waking up with her mind clearer, her body lighter, though her complexion was still noticeably paler than before she’d first entered the facility.

That day, she did little beyond sleep, hardly eating a thing. By evening, hunger finally crept in, and she decided to head to the cafeteria for a bite. On her way there, she happened to run into York, who was coming from the other dormitory wing.

He looked at her with a flicker of surprise. “I thought you’d already left the base,” he said.

Given the gravity of the recent events, he’d guessed when she might have arrived. Now that everything had been resolved perfectly, he assumed she would’ve completed her mission and left as soon as yesterday.

Charlene shook her head. “I still have a few things to handle. I’ll need to stay a little longer.”

The truth was, she should have left yesterday, but Kenton had asked for her help with some additional matters, so she’d postponed her departure.

York’s smile was gentle as he nodded, letting her know he understood. He could tell she was still a bit groggy—probably just now awake after sleeping a whole day and night.

He smiled but didn’t press for details. Instead, he asked, “Heading to dinner?”

“…Yeah.”

“Mind if I join you?”

York looked at her, his voice soft. “Alright.”

She was about to leave, but just as she turned to go, her eyes met his. For a split second, she paused. She saw something in his gaze—a flicker of longing, a reluctance to let her go.

She hesitated, dropped her eyes, and looked away, uncertain. After a brief pause, she murmured a quiet, “Goodbye,” then hurried off.

York watched her go, feeling the ache of that unspoken farewell.

He would be leaving the base himself in a few days for a new assignment, and it would be a while before he returned. By then, Charlene would likely have moved on from the base. Their next meeting—if it happened at all—wouldn’t be for another month, at least.