Unknown Divorce Revelation Beyond Time (Charlene and Thorne) novel Chapter 779

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Dad! Mom! My school break is coming up soon. Let's go on a trip! We could go overseas, or down south to go rafting. We have to go for at least two weeks!"

The chances of them taking a long family vacation together were less than zero.

But before Charlene could shoot the idea down, Thorne spoke up. "I actually need to head overseas for business soon. You can come with me, and we'll make a trip out of it."

Jasmine's face fell. "What about Mom? Isn't she coming?"

"Work is really busy right now," Charlene said gently. "I probably won't have time."

Jasmine pouted. "Not even for a few days?"

Charlene didn't know what to say. "We'll have to see how things go. If my schedule clears up, I'll let you know, okay?"

"...Okay."

Even though Charlene left the door open, Jasmine wasn't stupid. She knew her mom wasn't coming.

Sometimes she felt like her mom loved her more than anything, but other times, she felt completely brushed aside. It always felt like her mom was just trying to placate her.

Even knowing her mom cared, the constant deflection stung. It made her feel like if work always came first, maybe she wasn't that important after all.

Reading his daughter's crestfallen expression, Thorne glanced at Charlene.

Charlene saw it too. Jasmine knew she was being strung along.

Jasmine hesitated, stealing a nervous glance at her. "Then... can you come sleep at the house tonight with me and Dad? I bought so much stuff, and you haven't even seen it yet. Please come home and hang out with me?"

Her eyes were brimming with desperate, fragile hope.

Looking at that face, a sharp ache seized Charlene's heart.

She swallowed hard against the sudden lump in her throat. "Okay."

Jasmine beamed, her pure, unfiltered joy instantly lighting up the room.

Right on cue, the servers began bringing in the food. Jasmine excitedly jumped out of her seat, piling up Charlene's plate. "Hurry up and eat, Mom! As soon as we're done, we're going home."