Chapter 50

Charlene didn't respond right away. She patted Sally's head gently and said, "Can you keep it a secret that I brought you here today? Don tell Minnie, okay?"

Sally nodded eagerly. "Gotcha."

The last time she hugged Charlene, Minnie had been all bristly about it. Truth be told, Sally was a bit scared of her and didn't dare talk to her much. And it seemed Minnie still held a grudge because each time she saw Sally, she would puff up and glare. Ahead, Thorne, Vesta, and Jasmine looked like the picture-perfect family. Charlene watched them and couldn't help but think it was beautiful. She shifted her focus away.

After Thorne and Vesta left, Charlene finally exited the car

with Sally.

Jasmine's teacher knew Charlene was Jasmine's mom.

She saw Jasmine dropped off by her dad and another woman and thought Charlene was busy with something else. But then, seeing Charlene holding Sally's hand, she was momentarily baffled. "Ms. Ross, you and Sally..." "Mrs. Sullivan had an emergency and asked me to drop off Sally," Charlene explained.