Chapter 5 Distancing

• Valerie chewed on the corn cob, contemplating the events of the next few years. She scrawled on the blank paper Jayvion had given her with her juvenile hands. Galen Fisher, a retired general, let his eldest grandson to enlist in the military to pursue additional schooling when he was just 7 years old. People began to pay attention to short videos at the age of eight. I'll get started right now. When I was nine years old, Zoe was put to a public school since there weren't enough spaces in a premium institution. When I was ten years old, a city in the coastal region was completely submerged in a summer flood.
• What was the amount donated by the Horton family? Well, I don't really care. *** Valerie could only hazily recall the most memorable events from her past; other events were beyond her memory. Valerie stopped pondering over it. There was no writing on the blank paper. Valerie let out a regretful sigh. She never paid much attention to the outer world in her former life because she was always trying to strengthen her bonds with her family. Valerie just had a significant revelation. She felt bad about it! Valerie said to herself, "I'll just have to wait and see." My only option is to concentrate on making quick films and see if I can learn anything from them. It is irrelevant even if I fail. I've completed numerous jobs in the past. Valerie got into bed after getting dressed. She put the paper beneath her pillow and folded it neatly before dozing off.
• The Horton's study was still well-lit this late in the evening. Kieran shook the tiredness from his eyes and went over to pick up something that was always there. However, he received nothing. "Kieran, the milk helps you fall asleep." You ate a meager amount. We've prepared a midnight snack just for you. Avoid working too hard. Valerie's submissive expression flashed across his memory. Kieran saw the dark bags under Valerie's eyes as he looked at her in the kitchen today.Valerie insisted on bringing him snacks at midnight since when? Kieran said that he would always have a cup of milk by his side after inheriting his father's firm. More than three years had passed. What was Valerie's age? Kieran's hand quivered on the cup.
• His brows knitted in a habit, and his head ached from the pounding in his temples. Just when Kieran thought he would calm down, he became restless once more. His cranium pounded. Kieran knitted his brows as usual, and his head hurt from the pounding in his temples. Recalling the soothing massages he had received in the past, Kieran extended his hand to caress his pounding temples. To ease his headache, Valerie would give him a gentle massage at his temples. Kieran opened his eyes blearily and was surprised. Valerie had always been the one taking care of him. However, Valerie today appeared so different. Kieran sat on the chair and thought for a while. At half past five the following morning... Valerie blinked rapidly to wake herself up as she opened her heavy eyelids.
• upward. She objected to eating breakfast with her relatives. Jayvion and the other employees would be making breakfast at this time. Valerie grinned broadly as she entered the kitchen. She then noticed who was in the dining area.Startled, Valerie froze. Should she come in or not? She was already visible to Reese, who was seated in the center seat. Valerie was already visible to Reese, who was seated in the center seat. With a heavy heart, Valerie decided to enter. "Hello, good morning." Valerie greeted her father, who didn't often speak to her, with grace. She then took a seat, dutifully. Reese's eyebrows immediately crinkled "Valerie." "Yes," Valerie gave Reese a perplexed glance.
• This tone was too familiar to her. Reese used it to convey his displeasure, and toward the conclusion, his tone slightly elevated. Valerie, though, was unable to comprehend Reese's dissatisfaction. Reese stuttered on his words when he noticed her pure, bewildered eyes. Reese's eyebrows drew closer together. Reese might not have remembered that he didn't see Valerie all day yesterday if he hadn't seen his daughter this morning. Valerie had an extremely stiff attitude today. She stopped referring to Reese as "Dad." Valerie felt brave enough to look back at Reese, but a great gulf was opening up between them. What was Valerie's problem? Did she wish to turn against her own biological father and avoid him at such a young age? Despite her youth, Valerie had a temper.
• Reese's first thought was precisely that. Kieran also thought of the same thing. Reese compared Valerie to Zoe in his head. There was even more unhappiness with Valerie. "What's waking up so early? How will you proceed? Nothing. I got up early because I'm simply hungry and want to eat something. Feeling peckish? Yesterday morning, did you wake up at the same time? It's likely that you were starving yesterday at lunchtime. How come you weren't there for lunch? The accusing and probing remarks made Valerie completely nauseous.
• Words made Valerie completely nauseous. Now, all she wanted was to leap down and return to her immediately. space. "I've been sleeping a little later lately, and I was resting at noon yesterday." "What kept you up so late? Have you sent Kieran any snacks?"Yes, I stopped last night because I couldn't stand it any longer." Reese's brows furrowed a little. That's my good gal, all right. Zoe has a lot to teach you. Go to bed and get up early. Additionally, give your elders a polite greeting and address them with respect whenever you see them. Valerie gave Reese a quick look. She was accustomed to it. Both yesterday and today were the same. All that mattered to the Horton family was Zoe. Valerie occasionally even questioned if she was actually linked to Reese by blood.
• But Valerie had a striking resemblance to her deceased grandfather. She was therefore a member of the Horton clan. That was undoubtedly the case. However, ever since the ailing Zoe was born, she has taken up all of the family's care.Valerie, who was two years old, threw some fits occasionally. When did she start to act this way? Valerie was modest and worried about what others might think. Was it the result of her three elder brothers' criticism and Reese's rebuke? Or was it the look of accusation from her mother?
• By all accounts, Valerie was a mischievous child. She therefore learned to control her immature anger and whims and began to think and act in her family's best interests. Despite the significant impact, Valerie was progressively losing attention. "Valerie, your sister likes the hair clip you have on." The next time, I'll buy you another one if you give it to her. "All right, Mom, you go ahead."Then Valerie's mother forgot, but Valerie was unable to bring herself to speak for fear of upsetting her mother. "Valerie, you have a larger room.
• Not only is Zoe's current room a little cramped and has little ventilation, but she is also in terrible health. Could you give her your room temporarily? Later on, Dad will set up a larger room for you. "Yes, Dad, it's alright." While Valerie continued to dwell in the storage room that had been quickly set up at first, Zoe now occupied two rooms. Valerie's heart grew icy the more she considered it. She had nothing left to say to the Horton family, nothing to defend. Valerie breathed out a little as she turned to face Reese. "Found out, dad."Like a jagged sword, the word "father" stabbed Reese's heart. Reese looked up from the newspaper instantly. He met Valerie's serene, aloof gaze.