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

when it's me who didn't even say what's going on with me in

chin as she darted her eyes between them. Her face brightened up as she giggled. "I like that my parents admit

12.24

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real glue of the

them because of their incompetence. However, here she was, comforting them instead

her.

you?" Charles blurted out under his breath. Now he couldn't help

her face. "Oh, Penny. You

prayed day

pulling Penny into

they hadn't apologized enough. How could

then, Atlas's voice was

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," Atlas expressed solemnly, eyes on Penny. "But I chose to ignore the

know about what's happening to our

kept our eyes and cars open, things wouldn't have to escalate to this," Atlas continued

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

Penny's brows rose in surprise. She wasn't surprised that Charles and Allison were apologizing to her and was stricken with remorse. Her parents, after all, were good people

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

thing she told herself. 'But now that I think about it, they were... they were a lot less

look younger now, but in her heart, they were already adults who disappointed her

last moments of

real glue of the

adult because he was always on the

say this, hearing them apologize and own up their

to hear before. They might be apologizing over something different, but it still didn't