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

Chapter 404: Lighthouse

Others treated wealth, fame, careers, houses, secrets, or family as their treasure. But for Zoren, his only treasure-before Penny came back into his life-was the memories of her. They were the only good thing that had ever happened to him, and he cherished and recorded them so he would never forget her.

He had even built an amusement park inspired by their shared memories. So, the mere thought of someone peeking into his treasure and using it against him felt like a mortal sin. And yet, on the outside, Zoren appeared as calm as a lake.

"Maybe it was the vitamins," he said, lying flat on the bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "I feel sleepy instead."

Instead of going out to get answers tonight, Zoren lay there in bed, his eyelids heavy, feeling like he would fall asleep soon. This was unusual. Normally, Zoren wouldn't sleep after someone tried to touch what was his. Even when he wanted to let it be, his mind and heart wouldn't let him.

But tonight was different.

The corner of his lips curled up. "Or maybe it's because I know she'll come here."

Slowly, Zoren closed his eyes as the quiet night lulled him to sleep. Though his mind remained active for a while, his body began to relax.

Eventually, Zoren fell asleep on his own, without fainting, without forcing it, and without taking any pills.

Despite the things he had learned that night, it still ended peacefully.

At the break of dawn, Zoren regained consciousness even before opening his eyes. The first thought that crossed his mind was...

'Strange,' he mused as his eyes slowly cracked open. 'I didn't dream of her tonight.'

Every day for the past twelve years, Penny had always appeared in his dreams. And in those dreams, Zoren was the only one growing up. Even so, they would still play and talk. These dreams happened every single time he slept or was unconscious. But last night, there was no dream of her.

If anything, he dreamt of... nothing.

As Zoren fully opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a face hovering above his own. He blinked slowly, raising his hand to touch her face. He felt her smile as his thumb brushed her skin.

greeted with a grin, her knee resting on the side of the bed as she balanced her

was no longer just in

he replied, raising his other hand to hold her

rose as she propped herself on the mattress, careful not to fall on top of him. His thumb gently

said, only to hear him say, "I know it's you,

pouted. "Renren, just get better so you

then I wouldn't have an excuse to touch your face

"Who said you can't?"

can,"

need to be sick for her to care. His twisted thoughts were just as the

doesn't work

get up!" she urged. "Time

the bed, Zoren swiftly caught her arm and pulled her down. His arm quickly wrapped around her as he took

"Renren..."

his eyes. "Just

a bear. She raised the foot she had kept on the floor and crawled

covering them. "Renren, when you get better, let's add weights

"Mhm."

blanket makes you huggable," she teased, raising her eyebrows

You're perfect the way you are, but you

know I'm thin. It doesn't

his arm. Renny closed her eyes, smiling Zoren casually rubbed her back with

I woke up early," he

woke up. Did you sleep early?" "Hmm. Depends on what early means to you, but for my body clock, it's

the small space between them was

She giggled and repositioned