Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 971

Chapter 971: The only constant in her life
Life was hard, and it always would be.

Penny knew that.

In her first life, there wasn’t a single thing she could remember that made her genuinely happy. From the day she was born, life kept throwing rocks at her, as if her mere existence was meant for that alone—to be mocked, to be hated, to be… alone.

If there was anything she learned in her first life, it was that she had to accept this life full of agony and bad luck. Even if she bought all the talismans in the world, nothing could repel the bad luck she was born with.

For once, knowing that someone was on her side and that eventually, people began to believe in her innocence should have made her happy. It should have made her feel festive and appreciative. But why… why was it so heavy?

Why was she crying?

Why did she feel so down after hearing the truth she thought she was ready for?

Why?

What was wrong with her?

“It seems I’ve been too lenient. Tell me… who’s responsible for these tears? Who should I hold accountable?”

Penny’s lips quivered as her vision blurred. However, she could intensely feel his warmth and the restraint in his voice, as if it would only take one name for him to unleash the anger in his heart. Anger… originating from her tears.

‘Why?’ she wondered to herself. ‘Why… would you do all of that?’

Why did he believe her? Why did he fight for her? What did he see in her that she couldn’t even see in her first life? Was going to great lengths worth it?

Was she… worth it?

Or, in the end, did he regret it?

Myriads of questions filled her mind in the blink of an eye, and instead of getting answers, Penny jumped into his arms—into her safe haven. Clasping his back tightly, she buried her face into his chest. Her muffled cries turned into sobs, and she couldn’t even explain the reason.

She just felt like crying… for some reason.

“Penny…” His voice was low and gentle, placing a hand on her trembling back carefully. His mouth parted, the word “Why?” lingering on the tip of his tongue. But alas, no words escaped his lips.

Zoren pressed his lips together, sighing lightly as he kept her in his arms. He rested his chin on top of her head, his wide physique shielding her from the rain—even if it was impossible.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, patting her back gently. “It’s okay, Penelope. I am here.”

Her eyes stung even more as tears flowed uncontrollably.

She knew… it was going to be okay because he was here.

She knew that.

More than anyone.

And it was the reason she could cry and indulge in a moment of vulnerability because he was there. For her. Just like in her first life. Even when he didn’t have to, even when it was none of his business, and even if he was nothing but a stranger to her… he was there for her.

Why?

She didn’t know the answer.

But what she knew was that this man… may God protect him. May he live a life full of happiness and fulfillment. A life he would never regret.

Penny slowly drew her head back, looking up at Zoren. Her quivering lips stretched into a smile as he wiped her cheek with the back of his hand. After a blink, the tears in her eyes fell, leaving her vision slightly clearer, only to see indescribable worry in his eyes.

“I…” Her voice cracked, her smile crumpling as tears formed again in the corner of her eyes. Her gaze slid down, falling on the umbrella now on the ground. When she lifted her gaze back to him, her face softened.

“… am just moved to tears, that’s all.”

Perhaps that was why she was crying. That despite the heaviness of how everyone fell because they tried to fight for her innocence, this man never failed her. Even before they knew each other, even before they loved each other, and even before they spoke the promise of forever—he was always a constant in her life.

Looking back, Penny was reminded of the time she had to stand outside the Cortez Household in the harshest winter. While everyone was keeping themselves warm, she was freezing in the cold, having to beg to be let in.

Even in the Bennet Mansion, where indoors was the warmest when it was that time, their coldness often made her shiver. It was when she realized winter wasn’t just one season for her; it was always winter all year round.

But this man… would not only leave his door open and his key outside for her, but he would always be with her. Be it winter or rain, if she was in it, he would be in it with her as well. All she had to do was… look back a little and notice that he was there, standing just a few steps behind.

“I should’ve looked back a little,” she whispered to him, holding the hand that was cupping her face. “If I did, would I have seen you standing there?”

Would her first life have felt less intolerable if she had met him, even once?

Penny was curious, and she might not get those answers. However, she wanted to believe that life would have been less lonely if only they had met in that life.

Zoren was a little confused by her last remarks, but he understood the metaphor. Although not exactly what she meant, he nodded.

“I will always be there.” A short smile formed on his face, his hand slowly sliding down her arm to hold her hand. “If not a few steps behind, perhaps I’d take a few large strides and walk ahead so you could see me.”

Her smile softened, a short chuckle tempting to slip past her lips. She knew he didn’t understand the context, but in a way, his answer still gave her the clarity she needed.

Holding her hand, he squeezed it gently. “It’s raining. Let’s go home?”

Home…

She was already home.

Finally.

“Mhm. Let’s go… home.”