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 miklu ended the

at her phone hitterly

104 I'm okay

tempted to throw it.

her, and

day off to cook for

But...

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

more, burying her face in her

hated this very day. Growing up, she had to witness Nina celebrate it so spectacularly, while she was always

year, it was the same scenario with only a different

like today, it

much and was very happy throughout the day, only to be left in here all alone to

the silent dining room until the sound of the doorbell interrupted it. Penny slowly raised her head as another ring

cleared her throat,

Maybe her brothers

the door. Her

Haines smiled softly, causing his wrinkles to

small gift, his neatly combed

a gift every year on her birthdays, her eyes softened. Tears coated

"Happy birthday, Penny."

how Haines would always send her gifts around this time of the year. He was always abroad, but there were times he would come home just to celebrate her birthday

to greet me,' she thought, telling herself no need to feel bitter if

104 I'm okay

forgot. I wouldn't be surprised if they begged Aunt Jessa to take Nina

Oh, well.

often told herself even before she stepped into this house. This family... would never hurt her again. Never

smiled. "I'll take my pets back

quickly picked up her pet carriers and jumped out

want to talk about her birthday?' His lips

It was almost like she was running away, making him tilt

my gift. Haines snapped his fingers and jogged to

front door,

gentle smile.