Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

104 I'm okay

[Short Flashback]

wax melting Penny sat in a dining chair, staring at the cake before her. The candle burned slowly, and dripping down its base. The food arranged on the table was left untouched and now had gone cold. She gulped, breaking the ringing silence in her ears. Her lips curled up a little as she began to sing softly,

"Happy birthday to you... Happy birthday to you... happy birthday... happy..." Her voice faltered as tears streamed down her checks. She tried to hold her emotions back and failed miserably. Penny bit her inner bottom lips and sniffed, wiping the tears off her cheeks. "Why did I expect so much?" she mocked, laughing at herself. "It's not like this is the first time they missed my birthday."

She tried to recover from the sorrow that was embracing her on this not-so-special day. Penny slapped her cheeks mildly, forcing a smile, and sang herself another birthday song. This time, she made it without breaking out in tears.

"My wish is..." Penny hummed before she closed her eyes... that I will be happy."

With a deep breath, she blew out the candle.

Opening her eyes, she watched the smoke rise in the still air. Her smile remained only for a few seconds, and then it faded. Before her mood could plummet further, her phone buzzed on the

table.

Penny quickly picked it up the moment she saw Atlas's name.

"First Brother-

"Penny, I'm sorry I can't make it today," was Atlas's greeting remarks, his voice exhausted and stressed.

"Oh. Penny still smiled, thinking her brother was a very busy person. "It's okay. Emergencies happen when you run a company"

"Yeah, Atlas sighed heavily. "And Nina also fainted. So I have to check on her first:

Her smile froze when she heard that name. "Nina?"

"Mhm. Thankfully, she was with Slater when it happened. Why don't you come out and join us

for dinner?

"It's okay." Penny forced a smile, though her grip on the phone tightened. "Actually, it's good you called. I was just about to tell you I had to cancel the birthday dinner. Something came up."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Anyway, I've got to go. Take care."

"Mhm. You too."

said. Denn

her phone hitterly

104 I'm okay

tempted to throw it.

ago, Atlas brought up her birthday and suggested they should celebrate it. It was probably the first time he told those things to her, and she suspected it was because she helped him resolve a company issue. It didn't matter to her because she wanted to celebrate it with

taken the day off to cook

But...

seen this coming." Penny swallowed the lump in her throat and shook her head. "It's okay, Penny. It's okay. Don't

burying her

Matter of fact, she disliked this day. It wouldn't be a stretch to say she hated this very day. Growing up, she had to witness Nina celebrate it so

the same

like today, it

be different. She expected so much and was very happy throughout the day, only to be left in here all alone to

of the

have they come?" Penny cleared her throat,

knows? Maybe her brothers were trying to

her heart, Penny opened the door. Her smile faltered slightly at the

Penny," Haines smiled softly, causing his wrinkles

small gift, his neatly combed white hair reflecting the light. "Happy Birthday,

greet her or send her a gift every year on her birthdays, her eyes softened. Tears coated her eyes. She sighed in relief and welcomed them just as warmly as how

"Happy birthday, Penny."

year. He was always

she thought, telling herself no need

104 I'm okay

be surprised if they begged Aunt Jessa to take Nina out today. They're always like

Oh, well.

get hurt. That was what she often told herself even before she stepped into this house. This family... would never hurt her again. Never again. The slight hesitation

you, Uncle Haines, Penny smiled. "I'll take my

Penny quickly picked up her pet carriers and jumped out

about her birthday?' His lips

the front door. It was

Haines snapped his

Penny reached the front door, Butler Jen was

his usual gentle smile. "How was your