Chapter 558: Love isn’t supposed to kill.

Last night was a blast. Penny remembered having fun with her brothers and even with Zoren. There wasn’t a big event afterward, and they stayed until the end of the evening.

But somehow...

Penny sat up in bed, staring into nothingness, dazed.

"Renren..." she muttered in a trance. "You’re a beast!"

She snapped out of her daze, clutching the blanket over her bare chest. Although last night had been fun and ended peacefully, Penny found herself being preyed upon the moment she got home. She couldn’t even remember washing up — she hadn’t had the time, and by the time she did, she didn’t have the energy anymore.

"Ah, my goodness." She ruffled her hair weakly, sighing as she peeked down at the new love marks on her chest.

Thinking of last night, she scrunched up her nose at the intensity of what had happened after she returned home. It brought a mix of emotions, but exhaustion reigned above all else.

Just then, Penny saw a figure walking out of the bathroom. Her eyes slid to her husband, watching him cross the room toward the walk-in closet.

"..." Penny pressed her lips together, her gaze falling on Zoren’s body and the love bites she’d left on him.

"Good morning," Zoren said, stopping by the walk-in closet entrance. He leaned back, turning his head toward her with a wink before continuing on his way.

"..." Penny stared at the walk-in closet before yelling, "Isn’t there a connecting door from the bathroom to the closet?!"

Why was he walking out of the bathroom half-naked, just to show off the bite marks on his body?!

Her face flushed red as she huffed. "Maybe Aunt Jessa is right," she muttered, because it wasn’t just Zoren — Penny was just as much to blame last night. "I’m nasty."

Another deep sigh escaped her as she glared at the walk-in closet. Her body couldn’t take another round with him. She really shouldn’t always listen to her heart. Shaking her head, she sighed for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Good thing I decided to take a break today," she grumbled, dragging the sheet with her as she pulled herself out of bed. "I knew this was going to happen."

Taking her time since she only had some take-home tasks for the day, Penny headed to the bathroom to wash up. A warm bath was just what she needed. But as she stepped toward the tub, she froze and turned back to the mirror. Her expression died.

Her eye makeup was smudged, mascara smeared under her eyes. There was still some lipstick on her cheek, and her hair was sticking out all over the place. If Slater saw her like this, he would have jumped out of his seat.

"Oh, my god..." she gasped, unable to recognize the woman staring back at her. "Who in the witch world are you?"

Her face twisted in disgust. In moments like this, Penny was relieved that Zoren couldn’t see clearly. If he could, she doubted he’d wink at her or try to seduce her.

"Why is it that the more I try to be pretty, the uglier I look?" she scoffed to herself. "Penelope Bennet, you’re doomed once he gets better."

***

Despite the morning horrors, a warm bath worked its magic. Although Penny took longer in the bathroom than usual, it dispelled the tension in her body. When she finished, she felt better again and was ready for the day. Thus, she headed downstairs to join her husband for breakfast.

Of course, Hugo was already there, enjoying a cup of coffee.

"Good morning!" she greeted cheerfully, grinning at Zoren, who stood and pulled out a chair for her as soon as she came into view. He offered her a warm smile.

"Thanks."

"You’re welcome," he said before returning to his seat. "Second Brother helped me prepare breakfast today."

"Oh?" Penny’s mouth formed an ’O’ shape as she darted her eyes between Zoren and Hugo, who was seated across from her.

Hugo shrugged, sipping his coffee. "Had nothing else to do."

"Hehe, well, thanks! I promise next time I’ll make breakfast!"

"You’re always welcome to help me."

"No need for that."

Zoren and Hugo exchanged looks after they responded simultaneously. Both furrowed their brows, questioning the other’s comment.

Hugo thought: ’Has he never tasted her cooking before?’

Zoren thought: ’I guess he’s right. Penny’s hands are too precious to make breakfast for us.’

Penny, meanwhile, frowned. "Second Brother, what do you mean I don’t need to make you guys breakfast? I can cook!"

"I think Second Brother meant your hands are too precious for that," Zoren explained, feeling a brief, intense look from Hugo. Despite Zoren’s limited sight, he sensed it. ’Did I say something wrong?’

"That’s right!" Hugo grinned. "Your hands are too precious for that!"

"Come on." Penny clicked her tongue. "Don’t worry about that. I want to do it."

"Let me know when," Hugo replied, thinking, ’So I know when to skip breakfast.’

"You’re being strange, Second Brother," she muttered but didn’t dwell on it and turned to Zoren. "Renren, let’s make breakfast together next time."

Zoren smiled kindly. "Sure."

Hugo, on the other hand, remained mostly quiet, only occasionally joining in the conversation between Penny and Zoren. Most of the time, they were talking about cooking together.

’He doesn’t know what’s coming for him,’was all he could think.

******

"Bye~" Penny waved goodbye, standing outside the residence and watching the car drive away.

Zoren kept his eyes on the window, turning his neck like a kid to keep her in sight for as long as possible. Meanwhile, Hugo, who was riding with him, observed his brother-in-law. The more time he spent with Zoren, the more Hugo realized that Zoren was a bit of everything — only intimidating when people didn’t know him. But when Penny was around, he acted like a kid.

"Don’t let her in the kitchen," Hugo remarked, watching Zoren peel his eyes away from the window and settle into his seat.

Zoren tilted his head slightly. "Why?"

"I know you love her, but don’t let her kill you," Hugo said. "Love isn’t supposed to kill."

"..."