Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1568

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.

Her lips curled up slightly, her gaze softening. She could’ve easily ignored it—her hands were still somehow numb to pain. Maybe it was psychological, but she’d always noticed that injuries to her hands didn’t bother her much.

But seeing him act like it hurt him more... was strangely comforting.

It was selfish, but moments like this made her want to be selfish.

"All done," he whispered, placing a gentle kiss on her hand before meeting her eyes. "Let me know if it hurts more."

Penny didn’t respond. She just stared at him. Her lips parted, but they trembled slightly. The corners of her eyes stung, a hint of redness forming.

Seeing the moisture gather in her eyes alarmed him. "Does it still hurt?" he asked, panicked, glancing at her finger to check if he had done something wrong.

"It’s not that," she chuckled, sniffing as she held back the tears. "You’re just... really cute, Renren. It’s just a paper cut."

"It’s not just to me," he replied, the concern still evident in his eyes. "If you won’t worry about the little cuts, how will you handle the big ones?"

She shrugged, offering a soft smile.

Maybe that’s exactly it, she thought. Small injuries often went unnoticed, just like the big ones. That was the habit she had picked up.

"No more for today," Zoren said firmly. "You’ve been here long enough. It’s time to go home and rest."

His brow lifted, a clear sign that he wasn’t going to bend. "You’ll figure out the antidote, eventually. We’re not running out of time, and no one’s going to get poisoned—not while I’m here."

"So let’s call it a day—" he paused as Penny gently leaned her head on his shoulder. His frown deepened. "You’re not going to sweet-talk your way out of this, Penelope."

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