Chapter 42: New Sun
....
[Few Minutes Before]
....
"I am hungry." Stephen Jr. blurted out, reaching for the door handle. Without hesitation, he yanked it open. "I will grab something from the store."
Stephen Sr. watched in silence as his grandson stepped out, wondering if the sudden exit was an excuse to avoid traveling with him. Had the request made him uncomfortable?
Unaware of the misunderstanding his actions had caused, Stephen Jr. continued toward the convenience store.
It wasn't an unreasonable assumption on Stephen Sr.'s part - this was the first time they had spent more than five minutes together in close quarters.
...Despite how they spoke with a certain ease, it wasn't born of affection. It was simply the result of familiarity, one shaped by indifference rather than warmth, and by the little regard Stephen Jr. had for his grandfather's work.
Still, Stephen Sr. wasn't one to jump to conclusions. He chose to observe instead, watching every movement with quiet scrutiny.
Under his gaze, Stephen Jr. abruptly halted his walk toward the store, shifting his attention to a small group of three individuals.
From afar, the exchange seemed valued - but the details remained obscured by distance.
Nonetheless, he continued observing passively, his face betraying no particular emotion.