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

glared at her phone hitterly

104 I'm okay

tempted to throw it.

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

taken the day off to cook for them, eschewing fancy dishes

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...

more, burying her

stretch to say she hated this very day. Growing up, she had

the same scenario with only a different

like today, it

happy throughout the day, only to be left in here all alone to sing herself a happy birthday with tears in her

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

cleared her throat, wiping

knows? Maybe her brothers

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

smiled softly,

his neatly combed white hair reflecting the light. "Happy

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 they made her

"Happy birthday, Penny."

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

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

104 I'm okay

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

Oh, well.

before she stepped into this house. This family... would never hurt her again. Never again. The slight

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

carriers

talk about her birthday?' His lips

Penny was already at the front door. It was almost like she was

my gift. Haines snapped his fingers

door, Butler Jen

smile. "How was your meeting with your