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.

She didn't want to hurt the girl, but... there was absolutely no way she was going on a two-week vacation with Thorne.

Catching Thorne's gaze, she stared right back. Her silence was deafening: This isn't just my problem to fix. You need to help.

Thorne caught the message loud and clear. He raised an eyebrow, looked away, and affectionately ruffled Jasmine's hair. "Are you mad at your know she's not trying to bail on you. She actually has a lot on her plate right now."

So you!

He continued, "She might not have time for a massive trip, but during your break, we can find time to do things around Starfall City. There are plenty of great places to go rafting. right here that you haven't tried yet."

All Jasmine really wanted was reassurance that her mom cared.

Since she already knew her mom loved her, hearing Thorne rationalize it made the heavy disappointment in her chest fade. "Okay, fine."

She turned to Charlene. "But you have to promise! When I'm on break, you have to take me out."

"...I promise," Charlene said.

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 bang 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."