Chapter 434
That evening, just as Charlene was getting ready to leave work, her phone rang- it was Jasmine Henderson.
Tomorrow was Saturday. If Jasmine was calling now, she was probably hoping to make plans. But Charlene had no time to spare.
She was scheduled to visit the rehab center with Helena Ross and the others, to meet with the doctors about her mother’s medication and treatment.
So, she let Jasmine’s call go unanswered.
Saturday morning, when Charlene arrived at the rehab center, she immediately noticed that Sybil Ross looked even thinner than she had a few days ago. Her hair was brittle, her skin pale and drained of color.
The doctor explained, “The medications she’s been taking for her mental health have put stress on her liver and kidneys. It wasn’t an issue before, but now that her organs are failing, it’s too dangerous for her to continue. We’ve stopped some of her prescriptions. She’s been in pretty poor spirits lately, and with the antibiotics she’s taking for her organs, her body is under tremendous strain…”
Charlene tightened her grip on her purse and nodded, signaling she understood.
Afterward, she and Vernon Ross spoke with the doctor for quite some time. It was nearly noon before they finally left the facility.
As they walked out, Charlene’s phone rang again. Jasmine.
Charlene pressed her lips together and immediately declined the call.
After that, Jasmine didn’t try again.
But later that afternoon, Connie Snyder-who had just returned from abroad the day before called and invited Charlene to go shopping.
Truthfully, Charlene wasn’t in the mood to go out, especially with Helena’s health having been so fragile lately. She felt she ought to stay home and keep her company.
But Helena gave her hand a gentle pat. “Don’t coop yourself up, dear. Go out and take your mind off things.”
“…Alright,” Charlene replied softly.
She changed her clothes and headed out to meet Connie.
Connie, who’d been busy for months abroad with her fashion shows, hadn’t had much time to catch up. They chatted for a while before Connie found out about Sybil’s condition.
Suddenly, even her half-finished iced tea was forgotten. Connie’s expression fell, and after a long pause, she tried to comfort her. “Your mom… she’ll pull through. I just know it.”
Charlene wished with all her heart she could believe that.
But the truth was, Sybil’s health was deteriorating fast.
Charlene and the rest of the family knew the odds weren’t in their favor.
“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have dragged you out—”noveldrama
“It’s alright,” Charlene shook her head, about to reassure her, when something caught her eye. Two familiar figures appeared in the crowd.
Her gaze turned icy.
Connie followed her line of sight-then she saw them too: Henley Hawkins and Maureen Spencer.
Maureen looked every bit the elegant lady, dressed with taste, carrying herself with an effortless grace. Though she was nearing fifty, she barely looked forty.
Henley, as always, seemed to take great care with his appearance. Even past fifty, he was tall and distinguished.
They looked every bit the loving, well-matched couple.
Dressed casually, the two seemed to be out enjoying a relaxed day together, their good mood obvious as Henley held Maureen’s hand, carrying her purse as she picked through clothes-playing the perfect husband.
Maureen and Henley didn’t notice Charlene or Connie.
Connie, watching the scene, clenched her jaw in frustration. “Why do they get to be so happy? Life really isn’t fair, is it?”
Charlene lowered her eyes.
No, it wasn’t fair at all.
Connie paused, then added, “Forget them, the worst part is-Thorne still…”
Now that Charlene and Thorne were getting divorced, the Hawkins family’s fortunes would only get better with him on their side.
But Sybil… she had nothing.
Charlene’s grip tightened around her cup.
Before long, Henley and Maureen drifted out of sight.
Charlene’s spirits, already low, had been ruined further by running into them. She and Connie didn’t linger in the shops much longer-they each headed home.
Monday morning, Charlene and Stewart visited The Henderson Group.
This time, it was the core technical staff handling the meeting; Thorne was nowhere in sight.
After a busy morning, Charlene excused herself to use the restroom. On the way back, she spotted Thorne and Coy standing by the entrance, deep in conversation.
They fell silent when they saw her.
Charlene made to walk right past them, but Thorne spoke up suddenly. “Why haven’t you been answering Minnie’s calls?”
Charlene stopped, her voice cold. “Why should I have to pick up when she calls?”
Thorne seemed genuinely taken aback by her response. For a rare moment, he was speechless, his deep-set eyes fixed on her as if searching for words.