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104 I’m okay

[Short Flashback]

wax melting Penny sat in a dining chair, staring at the cake before her. The candle burned slowly, and dripping down its base. The food arranged on the table was left untouched and now had gone cold.

She gulped, breaking the ringing silence in her ears. Her lips curled up a little as she began to sing softly,

“Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you… happy birthday… happy…” Her voice faltered as tears streamed down her checks. She tried to hold her emotions back and failed miserably.

Penny bit her inner bottom lips and sniffed, wiping the tears off her cheeks. “Why did I expect so much?” she mocked, laughing at herself. “It’s not like this is the first time they missed my birthday.”

She tried to recover from the sorrow that was embracing her on this not–so–special day. Penny slapped her cheeks mildly, forcing a smile, and sang herself another birthday song. This time, she made it without breaking out in tears.

“My wish is…” Penny hummed before she closed her eyes… that I will be happy.”

With a deep breath, she blew out the candle.

Opening her eyes, she watched the smoke rise in the still air. Her smile remained only for a few seconds, and then it faded. Before her mood could plummet further, her phone buzzed on the

table.

Penny quickly picked it up the moment she saw Atlas’s name.

“First Brother-

“Penny, I’m sorry I can’t make it today,” was Atlas’s greeting remarks, his voice exhausted and stressed.

“Oh. Penny still smiled, thinking her brother was a very busy person. “It’s okay. Emergencies happen when you run a company”

“Yeah, Atlas sighed heavily. “And Nina also fainted. So I have to check on her first:

Her smile froze when she heard that name. “Nina?”

“Mhm. Thankfully, she was with Slater when it happened. Why don’t you come out and join us

for dinner?

“It’s okay.” Penny forced a smile, though her grip on the phone tightened. “Actually, it’s good you called. I was just about to tell you I had to cancel the birthday dinner. Something came up.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Anyway, I’ve got to go. Take care.”

“Mhm. You too.”

With that being said. Denn miklu ended the call Sh

She glared at her phone hitterly almost

104 I’m okay

tempted to throw it.

Not long ago, Atlas brought up her birthday and suggested they should celebrate it. It was probably the first time he told those things to her, and she suspected it was because she helped him resolve a company issue. It didn’t matter to her because she wanted to celebrate it with the family.

So, Penny had taken the day off to cook for them, eschewing fancy dishes for something heartfelt.

But…

“I should’ve seen this coming.” Penny swallowed the lump in her throat and shook her head. “It’s okay, Penny. It’s okay. Don’t be sad… don’t be disappointed… don’t…”

Her lips quivered once more, burying her face in her palms.

It wasn’t like she always celebrated her birthday. Matter of fact, she disliked this day. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say she hated this very day. Growing up, she had to witness Nina celebrate it so spectacularly, while she was always pushed aside as if it wasn’t her place to be in there.

Year after year, it was the same scenario with only a different setting.

Just like today, it was Nina again.

The only frustrating about this was that she expected this year would be different. She expected so much and was very happy throughout the day, only to be left in here all alone to sing herself a happy birthday with tears in her eyes.

Her sobs resonated in the silent dining room until the sound of the doorbell interrupted it. Penny slowly raised her head as another ring followed.

“Have they… have they come?” Penny cleared her throat, wiping her eyes, hurrying to the door.

Who knows? Maybe her brothers were trying to surprise her.

With hope in her heart, Penny opened the door. Her smile faltered slightly at the sight of two men outside.

“Happy Birthday, Penny,” Haines smiled softly, causing his wrinkles to deepen.

Butler Jen held a small gift, his neatly combed white hair reflecting the light. “Happy Birthday, Miss Penny.”

Seeing them, who never failed to greet her or send her a gift every year on her birthdays, her eyes softened. Tears coated her eyes. She sighed in relief and welcomed them just as warmly as how they made her feel on this cold, lonely night.

“Happy birthday, Penny.”

Penny’s eyes softened as she remembered how Haines would always send her gifts around this time of the year. He was always abroad, but there were times he would come home just to celebrate her birthday with her.

Even now, he’s the first to greet me,‘ she thought, telling herself no need to feel bitter if her own

104 I’m okay

er if her own parents and siblings forgot. I wouldn’t be surprised if they begged Aunt Jessa to take Nina out today. They’re always like that.”

Oh, well.

As long as Penny didn’t have expectations, she wouldn’t get hurt. That was what she often told herself even before she stepped into this house. This family… would never hurt her again. Never again. The slight hesitation she had today disappeared, replaced by the initial determination she carried when she agreed to come home.

“Thank you, Uncle Haines, Penny smiled. “I’ll take my pets back to my room.”

Having said that, Penny quickly picked up her pet carriers and jumped out of the car. Haines furrowed his brows. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Did she not want to talk about her birthday?‘ His lips curved down but said nothing.

When Haines stepped out of the vehicle, Penny was already at the front door. It was almost like she was running away, making him tilt his head to the side.

“Right… my gift. Haines snapped his fingers and jogged to the trunk.

Meanwhile, when Penny reached the front door, Butler Jen was already waiting for her.

“Miss Penny.” Butler Jen carried his usual gentle smile. “How was your meeting with your pet’s benefactor?”

“It was great!” Penny grinned, raising her brows as she looked around.

No one was around.

“Butler Jen, I’ll head into my room first,” she said and didn’t ask where her parents or her brothers were. They probably left to pick up Nina. What was new? “I’ll come down when I’m hungry! Or maybe I’ll eat dinner in my room. I have a lot of homework. Okay! Bye!”

She didn’t idle and hurried to the stairs.

“Miss Penny!” Butler Jen called, but she simply waved at him. When she was out of his line of sight, his brows knitted.

At the same time, Haines approached.

“Sir Haines, did something happen?” asked Butler Jen, only to see Haines shrug despite the piles of gifts he was carrying.

“Where are Charles and Allison and the boys?” Haines asked, wondering why they weren’t there to greet her.

“They’re doing some final touches. The first and third young masters weren’t satisfied with our work,” Butler Jen sighed. “They asked me to distract her while they fixed it, but I don’t think I

need to.”

Haines and Butler Jen looked up at the mezzanine, a little worried that Penny seemed to be avoiding the celebration.

Did she not want to celebrate her birthday?

104 I’m okay

Whe

Penny reached her bedroom, she tried her best to avoid unnecessary thoughts. She methodically released her pets, but they stayed close to her feet.

She offered them a smile and squatted down. “I’m okay,” she whispered, her eyes softening. “I’m

used to it.”

This is an extra chapter for helping me reach 1.5k powerstones this week.

Thank you <3^

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