Chapter -5 : Alienation

Valerie nibbled the corn cob while thinking about what would happen in the coming years.

With her immature hands, she wrote on the blank paper she had gotten from Jayvion.

“At the age of 7, Galen Fisher, who was once a general, retired and let his eldest grandson enter the military for further education.

“At the age of 8, people started paying attention to short videos. I can start from here…

“At the age of 9, Zoe entered a prestigious school, but there were not enough spots, so they sent me to a public school.

“At the age of 10, there was a flood in the coastal area during the summer, submerging a city. How much money did the Horton family donate? Well, it doesn’t matter to me…”

***

Valerie vaguely remembered the most memorable things from her past, but there were things she couldn’t recall

Valerie gave up thinking about it.

The blank paper was not filled up.

Valerie sighed with regret.

In her previous life, she always wanted to improve her relationship with her family and didn’t pay much attention to the outside world.

Valerie just heard something major.

She regretted it!

Valerie thought, “Well, I will just wait and see. The only thing I can do is focus on short videos and see if I can develop something from them.

Even if I fail, it doesn’t matter. I have done a lot of jobs before.”

Valerie once even lived in a shack that cost 25 dollars. This was no big deal.

After washing up, Valerie lay in bed. She carefully folded the paper and placed it under her pillow before falling into a deep sleep.

Late at night, the study room in the Horton’s house was still brightly lit.

Kieran rubbed his weary eyes and habitually reached out to grab something next to him.

But he got nothing.

“Kieran, the milk is good for your sleep. You didn’t eat much. It’s a midnight snack prepared for you. Don’t work too hard.”

Valerie’s obedient look appeared in his mind.

Kieran gazed at Valerie today in the kitchen and noticed that the dark circles under her eyes became apparent.

Since when did Valerie insist on bringing him midnight snacks?

Kieran remembered that after taking the business from his father, a cup of milk would always be next to him.

It had been more than three years…

How old Valerie was?

Kieran’s hand on the cup trembled. He habitually furrowed his brows, and the temples throbbed, causing his head to ache uncomfortably.

Kieran had just calmed down, but now he felt restless again. His head throbbed.

Kieran habitually furrowed his brows, and the temples throbbed, causing his head to ache.

Kieran reached out and massaged his throbbing temples, recalling the massages that used to relax him.

Valerie would gently massage his temples to relieve his headache.

As Kieran groggily opened his eyes, he was startled.

The one who had been taking care of him was always Valerie.

But today’s Valerie seemed so unfamiliar…

Kieran contemplated for a while in the chair…

The next morning, at half past five…

Valerie opened her heavy eyelids and quickly blinked to wake herself up.

She didn’t want to have breakfast with her family. At this time, Jayvion and other staff would be preparing breakfast

Valerie walked into the kitchen with a cheerful smile.

Then she saw who was in the dining room.

Valerie froze in shock.

Should she enter or not?

Reese, who was sitting in the main seat, had already seen her.

Reese, who was sitting in the main seat, had already seen Valerie.

Sighing deeply in heart, Valerie chose to walk in.

“Good morning.”

Valerie politely greeted her father, who seldom talked with her. Then she obediently sat down.

Reese’s eyebrows instantly furrowed

“Valerie.”

“Yes?”

Valerie looked at Reese with confusion. She knew this tone too well. It was Reese’s way of expressing dissatisfaction, with a slight rise in his tone at the end.

But Valerie couldn’t understand what Reese was dissatisfied with.

Reese saw her clear, puzzled eyes and choked on his words.

Reese’s brows furrowed tighter.

If Reese hadn’t seen his daughter this morning, Reese might not have remembered that he failed to see Valerie all day yesterday.

Valerie’s attitude today was incredibly stiff.

She didn’t call Reese “Dad” as usual.

Although Valerie was bold enough to stare back at Reese, a growing distance was forming between them.

What was wrong with Valerie?

At such a young age, did she want to turn against her own biological father and stay away from him?

Valerie was young but hot–tempered

That was the first thing that came to Reese’s mind.

The same thought crossed Kieran’s mind as well.

In his mind, Reese compared Valerie and Zoe.

The dissatisfaction towards Valerie was even deeper.

“Why are you up so early? What are you going to do?”

“Nothing. I’m just hungry, so I got up early and want to eat something.”

“Hungry? Did you wake up at the same time yesterday morning? You must have been hungry at noon yesterday. Why didn’t you come out for lunch?”

The questioning and blaming words caused Valerie to lose all appetite. words caused Valerie to lose all appetite.

All she wanted now was to jump down and go straight back to her room.

“I was resting at noon yesterday, and I’ve been sleeping a little late recently.”

“Why did you stay up late? Did you send snacks to Kieran?”

“Yeah, I couldn’t hold on anymore, so I stopped last night.“”

Reese’s eyebrows relaxed slightly.

“Alright, that’s my good girl. You need to learn from Zoe. Sleep and wake up early. Also, when you see your elders, greet them properly and address them respectfully.”

Valerie glanced at Reese.

She had been used to it.

It was the same yesterday and today.

The Horton family only cared about Zoe.

Sometimes, Valerie even doubted whether she was truly related to Reese by blood.

But Valerie looked very much like her late grandfather.

So, she was a member of the Horton family. That was for sure.

But ever since the sickly Zoe was born, she stole all the attention from everyone in the family.

The two–year–old Valerie had her moments of tantrums.

When did she become like this?

Valerie was humble and concerned about their opinions.

Was it because of Reese’s reproach and the criticism from her three older brothers? Or was it because of her mother’s accusatory gaze?

All signs indicated that Valerie was a bad child.

So, she suppressed her childish temper and whims, starting to think about her family and do things for them.

Though it had great effects, Valerie was gradually being ignored.

“Valerie, your hair clip is something your sister likes. Give it to her, and I will buy you another one next time.”

“Okay, Mom, here you go.”

Then Valerie’s mom forgot, but Valerie couldn’t say anything, or else her mom would get angry.

“Valerie, your room is bigger. Zoe is in poor health, and her current room is a bit small with poor air circulation. Can you let her have your room for now? Dad will arrange a bigger room for you later.”

“Yeah, it’s okay, Dad.”

Now Zoe occupied two rooms, while Valerie still lived in the storage room hastily arranged at the beginning.

The more Valerie thought about it, the colder she felt in her heart.

There was nothing left for her to defend or communicate with the Horton family.

Valerie turned around to look at Reese and exhaled slightly.

“Understood, father.”

The word “father” pierced Reese’s heart like a sharp sword.

Reese instantly looked up from the newspaper.

He met Valerie’s calm and distant gaze…

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