Chapter 107: Wishes do come true

Everyone anticipated that Penny would be so surprised that she might cry tears of joy. Atlas’s meticulous planning arrangements were flawless, and everyone had thoughtfully chosen gifts for her. Despite their limited time, they had managed it all.

So, everyone was in high spirits with great expectations.

But instead of reacting with joy, Penny turned away from them. What was happening? Was she not happy? Or perhaps she was hiding her tears?

As curiosity ran in the family, Butler Jen gazed down at her with furrowed brows. Penny stared back with a blank expression, her chest heaving as if she were hyperventilating. Her complexion was pale, as though she had seen a ghost.

"Miss Penny." Butler Jen squatted down in front of her, worried. "Are you okay?"

Penny didn’t answer immediately as she stared at him, wide-eyed.

Myriads of questions raced through her mind at the moment. Why were these people here? Shouldn’t they be elsewhere? In her previous life, although they didn’t celebrate Nina’s 13th birthday grandly, they still acknowledged it with Nina. They greeted Penny, but all the attention was on Nina.

What had changed? Had she done something wrong? Or had Jessa disagreed to let them have Nina, giving them no choice but to celebrate hers?

The last thought that crossed her mind brought clarity to her. That must be it, she thought. After all, in her first life, they were her priority, but... she was simply their option.

"Miss Penny?" Butler Jen’s voice brought her back to the current lapse.

Penny managed a subtle smile. It was a relief she hadn’t expected much; it spared her from a bitter disappointment.

"I’m okay," she said softly before she turned around to face them. "Thank you."

She wore a kind smile, but everyone felt that a gigantic wall suddenly appeared between them. The creases on their faces faded.

Penny forced her smile wider, more eager to escape this scenario. "So nice! But I just remembered Mouse might’ve finished its food. I need to give her some snacks."

She lowered her head and turned around to leave.

"Penny, don’t you want to watch the Upside Down movie?" Hugo blurted out, thinking if they didn’t say anything, she would go back to her room.

"Mom and Dad rented it so we can watch it together," Atlas shared his sentiments, adding his comment to stall.

Penny looked back at them, cocking her head to the side.

"Penny, don’t you want to celebrate your birthday?" Allison quickly rushed to her side. "Did we overdo it?"

After a second, Charles also squatted down in front of his daughter. "I know you said you don’t like surprises, but we thought since it’s your first birthday with us, we should at least add some shocking factor to it."

"Penny, is there’s something wrong?" Hugo approached, standing behind their parents.

Atlas didn’t add more, but he also advanced in their direction. ’I thought my plan was good.’

"Penny, you can bring your pets in here if you’re worried your mouse will starve! Butler Jen can get them for you!" Slater jumped in and Butler Jen nodded. When he set his eyes back on her, his eyes shook as he felt slightly nervous. "Don’t you — don’t you like birthday celebrations?"

Penny glossed her eyes over their anxious faces, noticing the nervousness and worry in them. "It’s not like that..." she blurted out quietly. "It’s just that... shouldn’t you be with Nina?"

She didn’t mean to mention Nina at the moment. But for her, this was so strange that she just couldn’t help but wonder. It wouldn’t surprise her if she heard the answers: Jessa didn’t want to let them borrow Nina or that they already made plans for the weekend for that.

But the answer she got in return took her aback.

"We’ve celebrated her birthday in the past twelve years," Charles was the one who gave that answer. "So, Nina can celebrate this day with her biological family while we spend this day with you."

"Penny, it might be Nina’s birthday, but it’s also yours," Hugo backed up. His anger and disappointment toward Nina remained and the longer it lingered in him, the less interested he was in Nina.

"Why are you talking about other people’s birthdays when it’s also your birthday?" Atlas blurted out, though his comment originated from logic rather than emotions.

They already heard that Jessa made plans for Nina today. If the Cortez Household were already doing everything they could to create a bond with Nina, they should also do the same for their real family.

"Penny, it’s okay if you don’t want to celebrate it." This time, Haines chimed in as he slowly approached them. "But in case you want to know, Allison cooked all your favorite dishes with the help of our in-house chefs. Chef Skylar also sent some snacks and recipes. The servants spent all night and day taking turns in shopping for a gift and helping in the preparations."

Haines continued, telling her of what everyone did. "Your dad even met with movie producers, so we could get a copy of the movie you wanted to see. Atlas made the planning, Slater decorated this room, and Hugo... helped as the errand boy."

At this point, Haines sounded like he was guilt-tripping her. Even Penny noticed it. However, he was simply doing it just so she let her guard down. Haines didn’t know why, but he was certain Penny just created another huge wall in just the short time she was in her room.

It scared him and everyone because when they greeted her happy birthday, she dropped that wall between them instantly. Although it didn’t feel like she was trying to distance herself, but more like she was trying to protect herself from something.

Haines and everyone wasn’t wrong.

The wall Penny built between them only had one purpose, and that was to protect herself.

"Miss Penny," Butler Jen called and nudged her back. When she looked up, he smiled warmly. "It’s okay."

A thin layer of tears coated her eyes as her heart felt warm and soft. Setting her attention on her parents and her brothers before her, she bit her quivering lips.

"Can I... really do that?" Her words already escaped her mouth before she could even realize it.

Her reckless question brought mixed emotions to everyone. However, they chose to smile and give her all the love and attention not just for today, but also in all the days that would follow.

"Oh, my baby." Allison couldn’t help but pull her into her embrace. "Of course you can do that."

Charles’s eyes softened and for a moment, all he could think of was his one and only daughter. "Penny, my sweetheart, let’s celebrate your birthday and all the following days we’re together, hmm?"

Their sons nodded at her until Slater stepped in.

"Let’s sing happy birthday! I’ll sing!" Slater cleared his throat, holding the cake as he began singing.

"Happy birthday to you... happy birthday to you..."

Slater’s voice was cool and harmonious, making everyone smile. After a beat, they also sang the birthday song. Their voices weren’t as loud or lively, but it was comforting.

Penny watched them quietly with her lips pursed into a thin line. Her brows rose when more servants sang by the door. Others were clapping.

Penny’s wishes in her first life were all rather simple: one of them was to celebrate just one birthday with her family.

Today, that wish finally came true.