After grabbing a bite to eat and catching a movie, Jasmine and Charlene found themselves wandering past an arcade. Jasmine, feeling nostalgic about the times they used to play games together, eagerly tugged Charlene inside.

For Jasmine, hitting the shops, grabbing some food, and watching a movie followed by some games at the arcade was pretty routine. But it had been ages since she’d done any of that with Charlene, so even the ordinary felt extraordinary. Charlene had plans with Abelard for dinner that evening.

As they left the arcade, Charlene thought about dropping Jasmine off at the Ross family’s place before heading out to meet Abelard.

Jasmine, however, wasn’t ready to part ways with Charlene. She held Charlene’s hand tightly, pouting a little, “Can’t I just come with you?”

Charlene paused for a moment.

Abelard had only invited her for a casual dinner, nothing special.

Bringing Jasmine along shouldn’t be a problem.

With that in mind, Charlene called Abelard to see if he would mind her bringing someone along.

Abelard chuckled, “Charlene, bring her along. I don’t mind at all.” Then, after a brief pause, he asked, “Is she your kid?”

Charlene simply replied, “Yeah.”

Abelard was a bit taken aback.

The last time they met, he recalled Charlene mentioning she was married, but it was surprising to see someone who looked so youthful already having a child. Half an hour later.

Charlene entered the dining room hand in hand with Jasmine, finding Abelard already there.

Upon seeing Jasmine, Abelard grinned, “Charlene, is this your daughter? She really looks like you.”

Charlene smiled, “Yes.”

“What’s her name?”

“Jasmine.”

“Is her last name… Ross?”

Abelard paused.

The moment he saw Jasmine, he had a flicker of recognition, but couldn’t quite place it.

Then, the realization hit him. He remembered running into the Henderson family around New Year’s, and the little girl holding Thorne’s hand was unmistakably-

He looked at Charlene, a bit stunned, “Is Thorne your husband?”

Charlene nodded, “Yes.”

Abelard was momentarily silent.

When Charlene mentioned she was married before, he couldn’t help but wonder why someone so exceptional would settle down so young. After all, for someone as outstanding as Charlene, suitable matches were rare. But if that someone was Thorne, well, honestly, in their social circle, Thorne was indeed the only one who could

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be a match for Charlene.

However, recalling the distant look Charlene had when she first mentioned her marriage, and remembering how he hadn’t seen her with the Henderson family at New Year’s, Abelard realized that there were issues in Charlene and Thorne’s relationship, perhaps more significant than he had assumed,

He gestured for them to sit and then pulled out two small gifts, handing one each to Charlene and Jasmine.

Charlene hesitated, but Abelard gently insisted, “As your uncle, it’s only natural to give a little something for the new year. It’s a tradition, no big deal, just take it.”

Charlene accepted it graciously, “Thank you, Mr. Ramirez.”

She then turned to Jasmine and said, “Jasmine, say thank you to Mr. Ramirez.”