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.

softening. She could've easily ignored it-her hands were still somehow numb to pain. Maybe it was psychological, but she'd always

act like it hurt

selfish, but moments like this made her

hand before meeting her eyes.

him. Her lips parted, but they trembled slightly. The corners of her eyes stung,

her eyes alarmed him. "Does it still hurt?" he

held back the tears.

evident in his eyes. "If you won't worry about

offering

exactly it, she thought. Small injuries often went unnoticed, just like the big ones. That was the

for today," Zoren said firmly. "You've been here long enough. It's

he wasn't going to bend. "You'll figure out the antidote, eventually. We're not running out of time, and no one's

Penny gently leaned her head on his shoulder. His frown deepened. "You're not

she chuckled, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head more comfortably. "Just... thinking I'll

his warmth, scent, and

longer," she murmured. "Console me more. I like

defeat, his arms coming up to embrace her as he rested his head on

really need that

it

you have to do it here? I can build you a

shoulder. "I'm not planning to stay in

money," he said knowingly. "But I don't mind. Once you're done with

nice to be

he smirked, wiggling his eyebrows. "Use it to

chuckled again, watching how serious he was

will," she hummed. "But not

"Why not?"

you

his presence-his small, caring gestures-consoled her in way words never could. Becau even