Penny has three brothers: one is a billionaire CEO, the second is the youngest military lieutenant, and the last is a successful actor. These three successful men had only one common ground: bullying Penny, their sore-eye of a little sister. The sister they never wished to have, and the one who claimed to be their real sister, while the sister they treasured all this time was a fake. After living a life of maltreatment in her aunt's home, some people of high standing came to Penny with news of her real parentage. She thought she was finally saved from her aunt’s clutches, unaware that what awaited her was worse. At 13, Penny only wished for one thing: for her brothers to love her and treat her like family, just as much as they loved their fake sister. She worked and studied ten times harder than anybody else just to be accepted by them. In her desperation, she foolishly fell into a trap set by a malicious person, not knowing her actions would result in the downfall of her brothers and her ending up in jail with a death sentence. On her execution day, Penny had only one thought in mind: If she ever got to go back in time, her brothers could pamper their fake sister for all she cared! She wanted nothing to do with them! And much to her surprise, Penny found herself back on the day it all began: the day she was born. As promised, this time, she wouldn’t foolishly try to earn her brothers' love and affection. Never mind family! She’d just make a lot of money, live in luxury, and make a family of her own! But wait, why is it now that she didn’t want anything to do with her brothers, they kept poking their noses into her business? Weren’t they supposed to pamper their fake sister? Why won’t they leave her alone?! And how on earth was she married in this lifetime? To make matters worse, this husband she never had in her first life was suddenly volunteering to be the father of her children?!
[TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS DISTURBING AND GRAPHIC CONTENT. READ WITH CAUTION.]
Silence was the absence of sound, but for Naylani, this silence was the loudest, most deafening, and sharpest. It was overwhelming and earsplitting. Although a single gulp was enough to ease her hearing, the heavy air and her growing awareness of every small sound lingered.
"Madam?"
Naylani blinked and flinched, her gaze flickering to the helper working in the kitchen. The servant tilted her head slightly, looking at her madam standing by the entrance.
"Are you hungry, madam?" the maid asked with a simple smile, wiping her hands on her apron as she approached. When she stood in front of Naylani, she studied her. "I'm still preparing the food, but I can make you something quick."
"..." Naylani pursed her lips, taking a large gulp as she forced a smile. "I'm… I'm fine."
"Are you sure, madam? I can make you something."