Chapter 2 The Expenses

• It was just past nine when Thome and Jasmine got home.
• Jasmine clung to her dad’s shirt. Her movements were sluggish as she got out of the car. She didn’t want to come home because her mom was there.-
• But Vesta had told her that Charlene came specially to spend time with her and her dad. They couldn’t just stay out, which would break Charlene’s heart.
• Thome had also mentioned that if they didn’t come home tonight, Charlene would join them on their boating trip tomorrow.
• Reluctantly, she agreed to return. Still, she couldn’t help worrying, muttering, “Dad, what if Mommy insists on coming with us tomorrow?”
• “It won’t happen,” Thorne said with assurance.
• Over the years of their marriage, Charlene always tried to find chances to spend more time with him, but she was sensible enough to back off whenever he made it clear he needed space.
• In Jasmine’s memory, Charlene always listened to Thorne. If he said it wouldn’t happen, then it certainly wouldn’t.
• Finally feeling relieved, Jasmine’s mood lifted. She bounced into the house, telling Latonia she would take a shower.
• Okay,” Latonia responded. Remembering Charlene’s instructions, she handed Thorne an envelope. “Mr. Henderson, Mrs. Henderson asked me to give this to you.”
• Thome took it, casually asking, “Where is she?”
• “She… packed up and left around noon. Didn’t you know?”
• Thome paused on his way upstairs, turning back. “She left?”
• Latonia nodded. “Yes.”
• Thorne had never let Charlene explain why she came to Goldland, and he didn’t care much. Knowing she had left didn’t bother him either.
• Jasmine was surprised to hear it, feeling a slight sense of loss.
• She figured it would be nice to have her mom around in the evening, especially if her mom didn’t join their outing the next day. Plus, her hands always hurt from polishing shells, and she had hoped her mom would help her finish.
• Thorne and Charlene hadn’t seen each other for months. Charlene had come all this way yet hadn’t even seen Thorne. Remembering Charlene’s unhappy expression upon leaving, Latonia couldn’t help but mention, “Mr. Henderson, Mrs. Henderson seemed upset when she left. It looked like she was angry.”
• Latonia had initially thought Charlene had urgent business to attend to back in the country. Then, realizing Thorne didn’t know about her return, she sensed something was off.
• ‘Angry? Charlene’s always been super patient and nice to me. Wait, she can actually get mad? That’s a first. Thorne chuckled dismissively, barely acknowledging Latonia before heading upstairs.
• Entering his room, he was about to open Charlene’s letter when Vesta’s call came through. After picking up, he carelessly tossed the envelope aside and left the room. The envelope fell to the floor beside the bed.
• Thorne didn’t come home that night.
• The next day, when Latonia came to clean up, she saw the envelope on the floor and recognized it as the one Charlene had given to her for Thorne the day before. Assuming Thorne had read it, she casually placed it in a nearby cabinet.
• After landing, Charlene headed straight to her room to pack. She’d been there six years and had plenty of stuff, but she only took some clothes, personal items, and her professional books.
• Thorne had always provided for her and Jasmine, depositing money into two separate accounts monthly. One was hers, and the other was Jasmine’s.
• However, Charlene usually used her card for expenses, never touching Jasmine’s account. Moreover, because she loved Thorne, every time she went shopping and saw stuff that would suit him, like clothes, shoes, cufflinks, and ties, she couldn’t resist buying them for him.
• Charlene led a simple life dedicated to her work and her family, always putting her husband and daughter first. That’s why she used most of the living allowance Thorne gave her to support their father–daughter activities,
• Given this scenario, there shouldn’t have been much in her bank account by then.-
• However, since Jasmine had mostly lived with Thorne in Goldland over the past year, her opportunities to splurge on them had significantly diminished.
• By the time, her account surprisingly still boasted over $30 million. To Thorne, this sum was a drop in the ocean, but for Charlene, it was a considerable amount. Recognizing it as hers, Charlene didn’t hesitate to transfer the money to her account.
• Leaving two cards behind, she dragged her suitcase without looking back. She owned a small apartment near her office, a cozy place of just over a thousand square feet.
• She bought the apartment four years ago to help out a friend who had left home, and it had been sitting empty ever since. It finally proved useful. Regularly cleaned despite its vacancy, the apartment required minimal effort to make it livable.
• After a tiring day, Charlene settled in around ten o’clock at night.
• The jarring alarm woke her up with a start. “Ring, ring, ring…-”
• Disoriented and groggy, it took her a moment to remember that it was 1 a.m. her time, but over in Goldland, where Thorne and Jasmine – breakfast time. were, it was past 7 a.m.
• Since Jasmine had moved to Goldland with Thorne, Charlene had made it to a point to call her at this hour.
• At first, Jasmine had struggled with the transition and missed Charlene terribly, constantly wanting to call. But Jasmine’s longing turned into indifference and impatience as time passed.
• Realizing the alarm no longer served its purpose, yet reluctant to let go, Charlene couldn’t help but smile bitterly. After hesitating, she deleted the alarm and turned off her phone to go back to sleep.
• Meanwhile, Thorne and Jasmine almost finished their breakfast.
• Aware of Charlene’s daily calls, Thorne didn’t always prioritize being home for them and didn’t think much of it. Noticing Charlene hadn’t called, he was indifferent and went upstairs to change after breakfast.
• Jasmine felt that Charlene was becoming more and more naggy, making her hesitant to chat on the phone.
• With no calls from her mom, she figured Charlene must have been held up.
• With a mischievous glint in her eye, she grabbed her backpack and dashed for the door.
• Seeing that, Latonia hurried after her, “Miss Minnie, it’s still early. You have time if you leave a bit later!”
• Jasmine didn’t listen and happily ran toward the car. “Are you kidding? It’s a rare break from Mom’s punctual calls. If I don’t leave now, I might have to chat with her when she finally calls. No way!”
• After her marriage, Charlene joined the Henderson Group primarily for Thorne. Now that they were divorcing, she saw no reason to stay with the Henderson Group.
• The following morning, she handed her resignation letter to Josh.