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

154 Dinner

"Auntie, why do you hate me so much?" Nina covered her lips as soon as she realized the

question that flew out of her mouth. Her eyes shook while gazing at Jessa.

"What do you mean?" Unbothered by the question, Jessa simply arched a brow.

Nina cleared her throat and observed her auntie first before clarifying. "If you hate me so much, why do you want me here?" Did Penny ask her?

"Who said I hate you?"

"What?"

"You're a brat and everyone's annoying at your age, but I don't hate you."

Nina's brows knitted in confusion. "But even from the start, you kept calling me that "wench" child, and that I'm a bad fruit from a bad tree.

"I did because it's true."

"??" Nina tilted her head a little to the side, mystified by her auntie's answer. One thing, Jessa was saying she didn't hate her but then she also admitted to saying all those harsh things.

Giving up, she changed her line of questioning. Then, why did you slap me in front of many people?"

"Do you prefer to be slapped without anyone looking?" Jessa's already raised brows elevated

even more.

"No," Nina's voice was meek. "I don't want to be slapped at all."

"Then be nice, you brat." Jessa snapped her tongue and looked away. "If I hate you, you'd know I hate you. But I don't. The person I hate is that wench the one who gave birth to you. That bitch... she makes me angry even after death. What a talent.

Nina played with her fingers, now curious about her birth mother. "What is she like? My mother?"

"Hah. Don't ask. She's a thousand times worse than you."

the blatant insult. "What did she do to you

sneered as a sharp glint flickered across

What did that mean?

like

and scoffed. "No,

- Nina blurted out and quickly bit

say I can see

her lips and slid her eves to the corner. "Penny took away everything

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154 Dinner

nothing from you, you

narrow-minded! Auntie, why do

"Deep in your heart, you know what I'm saying is the truth. Everything you had... isn't yours. Your family name, your clothes, your

you. If

nothing but facts. Nina just didn't want to accept

want to let

don't hate you." Suddenly, Jessa's voice changed into a more solemn one. Nina slowly gazed up at her again, only to see countless unspoken words in Jessa's eyes. "But I will if you end up becoming like that wench. That woman, who gave birth to you, is so selfish and wicked. It's why I would not hesitate to humiliate or slap you without caring who is watching if you're wrong. At the same time, I will

birth mother, she continued.

years. you had with the Bennets. They saved your life... just like how their daughter

scheming, and letting yourself get drowned by

truly care for you!"

until her vision blurred. "But I can't," she blurted out

I just accept that they're abandoning

and misunderstanding in the family. Second, you tried to kill someone. Even if you failed, you tried.

1

or intimidating her. But her words struck her straight into the heart. Was it because she didn't expect Jessa to speak so kindly despite the

Nina's cheeks. Jessa might

kid." Jessa reached out and ruffled her hair. "Penny is more suited as a little beggar and you should be in a charity. I guess

been treating so terribly to make Jessa send her back carry such warmth? Earlier, she was skeptical when Jessa said she

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