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

Chapter 1568: Comforting

Working in the lab without any work-life balance was draining. The demand for deadlines and results was mind-numbing, and being known as the reliable researcher who always delivered had its own burdens.

However, it wasn't all bad.

There were times Penny felt alive when she finally solved something she had been working on for months. Moments of quiet satisfaction when she answered even one question among the millions in the world. Occasions when she was rewarded for a job well done.

Still, the sadness, the loneliness, the numbness she felt while working in this very lab were often too overwhelming for her to even want to set foot in it. But she still did-despite how sickening it felt-for one simple reason: to close that Chapter of her life.

Penny had never planned on returning to this lab as an adult. Not even for a visit. She could always ambush Professor Singh in his office if needed.

But for the sake of protection, she had to swallow whatever bitterness remained and spend hours in the same place that once suffocated her.

This time, though, it didn't feel as lonely as it used to.

Not with Zoren there to help her heal.

And he might not even realize just how much that meant to her.

***

[PRESENT TIME]

"Aw..." Penny hissed as she got a small paper cut. She had somehow avoided any accidents while cleaning up the shards around the lab, only to get injured from casually grabbing a book.

"Hang on a little, my love," Zoren whispered as he seriously dabbed alcohol on the tiny wound. It was just a paper cut, yet he looked like a spine surgeon performing a delicate operation.

He was careful, wincing at her every little flinch. He gave the cut one final gentle dab with the tip of a cotton swab. Once done, he reached swiftly for a plaster strip and wrapped it around her finger.

Penny pressed her lips together, eyes never leaving him.

It's just a paper cut. I've had worse.

ignored it-her hands were still somehow numb to

him act like it hurt him more... was

but moments like this made her want to

a gentle kiss on her hand before meeting her eyes. "Let me know if

She just stared at him. Her lips parted, but they trembled slightly. The corners of her eyes stung, a hint of

he asked, panicked, glancing

chuckled, sniffing as she held back the tears. "You're just... really cute, Renren. It's just a

to me," he replied, the concern still evident in his eyes. "If you won't worry about the little cuts, how will you handle the

offering

just like the big ones. That was the habit she had picked

firmly. "You've been here long

a clear sign that he wasn't going to bend. "You'll figure out the antidote, eventually.

paused as Penny gently leaned her head on his

not," she chuckled, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head more comfortably. "Just... thinking I'll rest for a bit before we go. That's

letting his warmth,

stay like this a while longer," she murmured. "Console

his arms coming up to embrace her

you really

whispered. "But it would give me peace of

I can build you a

head until her chin rested on his shoulder. "I'm not planning

I don't mind. Once

nice to be

his

watching how serious he was

she hummed.

"Why not?"

being here with you makes it feel different.

said so much more. About how his presence-his small, caring gestures-consoled her in way words never