Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Trying to get used to the life she was supposed to live
Was it the crying that made Nina fall asleep faster than supposed to? Or was it because she felt exhausted? Either way, that night, Nina slept like a child for the first time since coming into this household.

The twins couldn’t even help but stare at her door incredulously.

“She’s not crying,” Yugi muttered, almost horrified.

Yuri blinked many times before she smiled. “This is the first,” she said as she faced her brother. “Yugi, you should sleep early tonight. No need to worry about her.”

“Who said I’m ever worried about her?” Yugi hissed and glared at Yuri. “Yuri, your imagination is growing wild. Take it easy.”

Having said that, Yugi turned his back on her and went to his room. Meanwhile, Yuri couldn’t help but smile at her brother’s room and then at Nina’s.

“I wonder what Mom told her,” she wondered but didn’t dwell on it. “Well, I hope this continues.”

Every single night since Nina stepped into this household, Yugi and Yuri often hear her scream or throw tantrums. Initially, it irritated them, but they didn’t complain. But as time goes by, Nina’s tantrums slowly turn into endless cries.

Although Nina irritated them, they were also worried about her.

Anyone would be worried if the other person right across their room cried every single night. Therefore, Yuri and Yugi often stand outside their rooms and watch Nina’s bedroom. Neither of them didn’t dare knock on those nights, though.

Tonight, however, Yuri’s heart was filled with optimism. She hoped tonight would be the start of Nina’s journey toward change.

*

*

*

The next day rolled in and, like always, everyone in the Cortez household went through their usual morning routine. Jessa cooked breakfast and prepared the children’s and her husband’s lunch boxes. As the family sat down around the dining table, everyone — except Jessa — paused.

Slowly, they turned to the staircase and saw Nina.

Nina pressed her lips meekly and instead of going straight to the front door, she placed her bag down on the couch. She then headed to the dining and joined them for breakfast.

The twins and their father kept their eyes on her longer than they should have.

“Do you all have plenty of time to waste?” Jessa’s remarks snapped them back to their senses.

“Ahem!” her husband cleared his throat. “Let’s eat.”

Having said that, the family ate quietly. There was still this lingering fear Nina would start throwing shades or leave unnecessary comments that could ruin their day. But she didn’t. Nina ate quietly without creating a scene.

They thought last night was a one time thing, but it seemed Nina’s taste buds adapted to their peasant food.

Once the husband was finished, he quickly took his plates to the sink. As usual, he kissed the twins goodbye and then his wife. Not long after, the twins also finished. Just like their father, they carried their plates to the sink and picked up their lunch boxes.

The twins weren’t as affectionate as they hurriedly rushed out of the house.

Lastly, Nina quietly took her plates to the sink. This was the second time she finished a meal in this household — last night was the first. Hence, she mimicked everyone and carried her plates to the sink. Once she finished, she went to the living area to get her bag.

“Hey,” Jessa called when Nina reached the front door, making Nina look back. “Forgetting something?”

“Huh?” Nina’s eyes shifted to the lunch bag her aunt was holding to the side. “That’s for me?”

“Why do you think there are four lunch boxes here?” Jessa’s face soured. “Go and carry this. You’ve been wasting your lunch boxes since coming in here.”

Nina furrowed her brows. Since she had never had breakfast here, she didn’t know Jessa had been preparing her lunch boxes since. A subtle smile turned up on Nina’s face, thinking she wouldn’t get hungry at school.

“Thank you,” she expressed as she took the lunch bag.

Jessa irritably waved her hand. “Geez. Just go. Don’t smile at me like that. It’s creepy!”

“Okay.” Yet, Nina still smiled. She thought her auntie had this odd way of showing her affection, but it wasn’t bad at all.

Having said that, Nina walked out of the house with the lunch bag in her hand. As she reached the gates, Jessa approached the front door.

Jessa leaned her side against the jamb, arms crossed. “What an emotional brat,” she commented, but the corner of her lips curled up.

*****

Since Nina didn’t have money anymore, she had to commute. Fortunately, she was able to wake up and search for how to get to her school via commute.

On the bus, Nina was about to put the lunch bag inside her bag when she noticed something inside. She peeked inside and picked out a small bill.

“Auntie…” she whispered as her eyes softened, thinking Jessa figured out she was running out of cash. Although the money wasn’t a big bill, right now, it was big for Nina. She didn’t have money, after all.

“I guess my aunt is really scary.” Her lips curled up. “She notices everything and no one can hide anything from her.”

Nina carefully closed the lunch bag and didn’t put it inside her bag. It might get ruined if she did. She then kept the money Jessa slipped into her lunch bag in her wallet. For some reason, she placed it separately from the remaining allowance she got from her parents.

Despite the scary pranks that await her in school, Nina turned to the window with a smile.

It was strange that she felt calm today and at peace.

She had already forgotten when was the last time she was headed to school without thinking of anything else. The past weeks, her mind was full of Penny or how she would get attention. But today, she just stared at the side of the road without anything in her mind.

‘I thought commuting was bad,’ she told herself, clasping the lunch bag on her lap. ‘Weren’t Yugi and Yuri using bikes to school? I wonder… should I transfer there next school year?’