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."

being said. Denn miklu ended the

at her

104 I'm okay

tempted to throw it.

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

had taken the day off to cook for them, eschewing

But...

should've seen 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 be

once more, burying her face

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

year, it was the same scenario with

it

She expected so much and was very happy throughout the day, only to be left in here all alone to sing herself a happy birthday with tears in

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

come?" Penny cleared her throat,

knows? Maybe her brothers were

heart, Penny opened the door. Her smile faltered slightly at the sight of two

Haines smiled softly, causing his wrinkles

combed white hair reflecting the

eyes softened. Tears coated her eyes. She sighed in relief and

"Happy birthday, Penny."

her gifts around this time of the year. He was always abroad, but there

me,' she thought, telling herself no need

104 I'm okay

if they begged Aunt Jessa to take

Oh, well.

into this house. This family... would never hurt her again. Never again. The slight hesitation she had today disappeared, replaced by the initial determination she carried when she agreed to

"I'll take

picked up her pet carriers and jumped out of the car.

talk about her birthday?' His lips curved down

already at the front door. It was almost

my gift. Haines snapped his fingers

Penny reached the front door, Butler Jen

usual gentle smile.