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.

were still somehow numb to pain. Maybe it was psychological, but she'd always noticed

seeing him act like it hurt

like this made her want to be

her hand before meeting her

but they trembled slightly. The corners of

he asked,

the tears. "You're just... really cute, Renren. It's just a paper

evident in his eyes. "If you won't worry about the little cuts, how will

shrugged, offering

just like the big ones. That was

here long enough. It's time

going to bend. "You'll figure out the antidote,

head on his

resting her head more comfortably.

letting his warmth, scent, and

a while longer," she

to embrace her as he rested

you really need that

whispered. "But it would give me peace

you have to do it here? I can build you a new lab... something vibrant, something that doesn't

not planning to

don't mind. Once you're done with it, I'll

be nice to

he smirked, wiggling his eyebrows. "Use it to your

serious he

hummed.

"Why not?"

you makes it

in way words never could. Becau even though she was back in the