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

146 The real glue of the family

"I'm okay! Nina is the daughter you recognized and raised for thirteen years. Just like how my auntie and cousins fight for me, it's the same for you. I'd be more disappointed if you quickly turn your back on the daughter you raised for over a decade just because she's not

blood-related.

The smile on Penny's face was bright and warm. There was no trace of deception or anything just to make her look good. If anything, all the words she said were quickly detected as genuine from the heart. The couple's hearts softened, but at the same time, they were stricken with more remorse. How could their Penny be this understanding?

They would understand Penny if she would lash out, or if she would cry her heart out. Penny had all the right to feel disappointed in them. If they were in Penny's shoes, they would also feel a little horrible. It was awful: the school bullying and Nina's attempt to stir trouble for her.

Not to mention, her brothers weren't as forthcoming in the beginning as they were now.

en't

Another layer of tears coated Allison's eyes until it blurred her vision. She pursed her lips and reached for Penny's hand, sniffling as she tried to hold back her tears.

"I'm sorry, Penny. Mom is really, really sorry," she whispered, squeezing Penny's soft and plump

hand.

Charles's eyes also softened, but he was more concerned. He knew Penny was mature, smart, and kind. However, in a situation like this, it was only normal for her to feel some sort of negativity. Yet Penny was more understanding than one would expect.

It wasn't like he was doubtful, but he was genuinely worried.

"Penny, it's okay to feel angry. Mom and Dad disappointed you and we've been, in a way, neglectful," he expressed sincerely. "We won't judge if you're disappointed with us. We hadn't known anything you've been going through. We kept saying when you came in here that we'll protect you, but until now, we hadn't done anything to do that.

Penny would be disappointed if she had expectations. But as mentioned before, Penny didn't mind if they screw things up as many times as they liked.

mas

head mildly and smiled. "But I'm not angry. How can I be angry when it's me who didn't even say what's going on with me in school? It's not like Mom and Dad are in school too. Moreover, I had fun while playing with

chin as she darted her eyes between them. Her face brightened up as she giggled. "I like that my parents admit their shortcomings. That's good enough for

12.24

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real glue of the

They were prepared to hear Penny's woes or if Penny wanted to leave them because of their incompetence. However, here she

her.

a daughter like you?" Charles blurted out under his breath.

face. "Oh, Penny. You are

chuckled. "What Mom and Dad did is that they prayed day and night to

Penny into

apologized enough. How could they

sorry too." Just then,

their heads, eyes falling on the door where Atlas, Hugo, and Slater were. They sauntered in and stopped several feet from where their parents and Penny were seated. "We're attending the same school and I should've heard about it,"

excuse for us not to know about what's happening to our

eyes and cars open, things wouldn't have to

known that even if you're capable, some unreasonable kids would still target you. They make me

and was stricken with remorse. Her parents, after all,

nor could she properly articulate her feelings, but she knew it

my birthday. After all, it could be a one-time thing she told herself. 'But now that I think about it, they were... they were

were already adults who disappointed her repeatedly. In her heart, they were the people - Atlas, especially was still that same man who never believed

moments

The real glue of

he was always on

hearing them apologize

all she wanted to hear before. They might be apologizing over something different, but