CHAPTER 3
Narrator's POV
The next morning, Valerie had to wake up early and make breakfast because Duncan wasn't ready to let Fiona out of her room yet.
She hated waking up early and wasn't used to it. Fiona had always done the cooking and most of the housework, so Valerie rarely had to bother with any of it.
When she stepped into the kitchen, she stood there for a moment, wondering what to make.
She thought about making toast, but she knew Duncan wasn't a fan of it. In the end, she decided to make pancakes.
Later, the entire family gathered around the dining table and began eating breakfast.
"Caroline?" Duncan called.
She looked up from her phone.
"Yes, Daddy?"
"When you're done eating, could you please take some pancakes to your sister?"
Caroline immediately glanced at her mother.
She hated being around Fiona and clearly wasn't interested in taking her anything.
"Um, honey, there are no more pancakes left," Valerie quickly cut in.
Duncan frowned.
"What do you mean there are no more pancakes left?"
"She was rude to me last night, and you expect me to cook for her?"
Duncan stared at her.
For a moment, he wondered what kind of woman he'd married. No mother would deliberately leave her daughter without food just because she had been disrespectful.
Valerie noticed the look on his face and quickly changed her tone.
"Honey, you know how much I love you and our children, but sometimes we've got to discipline them."
"I already did that by locking her in her room last night. Valerie, she didn't have lunch or dinner. Stop being unreasonable."
He pushed his chair back.
"You know what? I'll just order something for her to eat."
Valerie watched as Duncan angrily left the table without even finishing his breakfast.
"Now what?" Caroline asked.
Valerie didn't answer.
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Caroline got up to answer it and found a delivery man standing outside with pizza and ice cream.
Duncan came out, took the food from him, and handed him some cash.
"Thank you."
He turned toward Caroline.
"Caroline, go call your sister."
She glanced at her mother with an angry look before walking away.
As soon as Duncan closed the door, Valerie approached him.
"Honey, you'll be late for work. The clock is already ticking. I'm sorry about my behaviour earlier. Let me take this to Fiona while you go."
Duncan looked at her for a moment before nodding.
"Tell her I'll be back shortly. I just want to check on a few buildings, then I'll come home."
"No problem, hon. Have a great day."
She smiled sweetly and kissed him before he walked out.
A few moments later, Caroline came downstairs.
"Dad, I can't find the key..."
She stopped when she noticed he was gone.
"Where's Dad?"
"He's out."
Valerie took the food from the table and grinned at her daughter.
"Come. Let's enjoy this delicious treat together."
Caroline smiled and followed her.
"What about Fiona? I can't find the keys."
Valerie shrugged.
"Let her be. We'll let her out later."