Chapter 5 Alienation

Aliana 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 Luke.

"At the age of 7, Allen Hardin, 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, Leia 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 Harriman family donate? Well, it doesn't matter to me..."

***

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

Aliana gave up thinking about it.

The blank paper was not filled up.

Aliana 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.

Aliana just heard something major.

She regretted it!

Aliana 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."

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

After washing up, Aliana 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 Harriman's house was still brightly lit.

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

But he got nothing.

"Joshua, 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."

Aliana's obedient look appeared in his mind.

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

Since when did Aliana insist on bringing him midnight snacks?

Joshua 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 Aliana was?

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

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

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

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

Aliana would gently massage his temples to relieve his headache.

As Joshua groggily opened his eyes, he was startled.

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

But today's Aliana seemed so unfamiliar...

Joshua contemplated for a while in the chair...

The next morning, at half past five...

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

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

Aliana walked into the kitchen with a cheerful smile.

Then she saw who was in the dining room.

Aliana froze in shock.

Should she enter or not?

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

Hugh, who was sitting in the main seat, had already seen Aliana.

Sighing deeply in heart, Aliana chose to walk in.

"Good morning."

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

Hugh's eyebrows instantly furrowed.

"Aliana."

"Yes?"

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

But Aliana couldn't understand what Hugh was dissatisfied with.

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

Hugh's brows furrowed tighter.

If Hugh hadn't seen his daughter this morning, Hugh might not have remembered that he failed to see Aliana all day yesterday.

Aliana's attitude today was incredibly stiff.

She didn't call Hugh "Dad" as usual.

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

What was wrong with Aliana?

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

Aliana was young but hot-tempered.

That was the first thing that came to Hugh's mind.

The same thought crossed Joshua's mind as well.

In his mind, Hugh compared Aliana and Leia.

The dissatisfaction towards Aliana 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 Aliana 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 Joshua?"

"Yeah, I couldn't hold on anymore, so I stopped last night."

Hugh's eyebrows relaxed slightly.

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

Aliana glanced at Hugh.

She had been used to it.

It was the same yesterday and today.

The Harriman family only cared about Leia.

Sometimes, Aliana even doubted whether she was truly related to Hugh by blood.

But Aliana looked very much like her late grandfather.

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

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

The two-year-old Aliana had her moments of tantrums.

When did she become like this?

Aliana was humble and concerned about their opinions.

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

All signs indicated that Aliana 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, Aliana was gradually being ignored.

"Aliana, 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 Aliana's mom forgot, but Aliana couldn't say anything, or else her mom would get angry.

"Aliana, your room is bigger. Leia 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 Leia occupied two rooms, while Aliana still lived in the storage room hastily arranged at the beginning.

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

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

Aliana turned around to look at Hugh and exhaled slightly.

"Understood, father."

The word "father" pierced Hugh's heart like a sharp sword.

Hugh instantly looked up from the newspaper.

He met Aliana's calm and distant gaze...