PAMPERED

227 A promise that would shape them

The Bennet siblings stayed on the balcony in silence, staring out at the beautiful scenery even at night.

“Penny, when you leave… will you give us a call? After the long silence, Hugo broke it.

Penny looked back at them, only to see her brothers staring at her. “Of course, she said with a smile. “I’m just leaving to achieve something, but my heart will always be at home.” 2

Hearing her response put ease in their hearts. They might’ve not said it because Charles was right when he said supporting her was the least they could do for her. Even so, the worry and fear and a little bit of sadness of the idea lingered in their hearts.

“Just like what Mom said, I will come home when I can,” she said, setting her eyes on the scenery again. “It’s not like I am dying or something like that, so I can always come home. I just really…. want to be someone.”

“You’re already someone,” Atlas remarked, carning her attention again. “You’re Penelope Bennet. 1

His tone was the same as usual, but his words carried sincerity, which made his remarks more meaningful. Slater and Hugo nodded before shifting their eyes to her.

“I think that alone is enough,” said Hugo,

“Penny, we’re just saying you’re already someone now, but we’re not stopping you from becoming someone you want to become in the future,” Slater clarified, in case she misunderstood since her brothers were not explaining properly.

“I know” Penny chuckled while the corner of her

corner of her eyes creased. “Thanks.”

Penny smacked her lips and snapped her eyes ahead. Her heart was already warm throughout the day and it was full. For a day, all the worries she had for the future were forgotten with her time with the family. Even though it was only for a moment, she felt at total peace and relaxed.

‘In my previous life, I can only imagine something like this,‘ she thought. Just a short time with my family, a short break to breathe. It didn’t need to be grand, but just some time with them… as we talk about the most menial things in life.”

But what she got in this lifetime was more than that.

It would be a lie to say that Penny was sure her choices in this lifetime were right. But what she was sure of was that she was happy at the moment.

It was much better than letting her anger and resentment consume her.

Surely, living well was the best revenge.

It just so happened that as she chose to take that route, all of them somehow changed as well. She didn’t mean to; even now, she was a little skeptical, but she simply let things go with the flow.

As she mentioned, she may not forget what she had to endure day and night

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227 A promise that would shape them

had to endure every time she breathed

but who was she not to forgive?

Penny had forgiven herself for being so foolish in her previous life. She had forgiven herself for seeking love from others while losing her own. In other words, by forgiving herself for all the bad things she had done to herself for not loving herself, for not taking care of herself, and for participating in performing all her agonies instead of protecting herself – she was able to forgive others.

Did they deserve it? She didn’t know.

But what she knew was that she deserved to have a good life. She deserved to have a life on her own terms. She deserved to be kind to herself. She deserved peace. 1

“I will live freely, Penny broke the prolonged silence with a soft smile on her face, earning a look from her brothers. “In the future, I will be someone successful in life. And by successful, I don’t mean certificates or names on the plaques; I don’t mean money that couldn’t be measured. But I will be the happy Bennet, who would go through success and failures all the while being happy and content and in peace.”

At this point, Penny didn’t realize she spoke her thoughts aloud.

Atlas’s eyes softened as a subtle smile appeared on his face.

“Then I’ll be the youngest and most successful soldier who will rise the rank. When Hugo spoke, Penny flinched and looked back at him.

Penny pressed her lips as she held her breath. I didn’t realize I spoke out my thoughts. Her worries, however, didn’t last long when Hugo spoke again.

“The military should watch out and if someone picks on you, tell them you have a brother in the ranks of the military,” he added with a devious smirk. “Of course, I will not hurt them, but it’s probably enough to use it as a scarecrow.”

“Second Brother…”

Slater opened and closed his mouth as he blurted out. “I’ll be successful too!”

Penny, Hugo, and Atlas slowly shifted their eyes to the third brother. “What are you going to be when you grow up?”

—

“I will be… I will be… ahem! I will be a musician no, not just a musician! I will be a lot of things!” Slater blurted out heedlessly. “That’s right! I will do a lot of things that the whole world would know about me! If a brother in the military isn’t enough to scare the bullies, then tell ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Il do a lot of things that the whole world them your brother is that “famous” guy! I’ll make sure I’ll be that famous to the point I only need to say my first name and everyone already knows me!” 2

“Wow…” Hugo clapped slowly. “Slater, so cool…!”

Penny’s face twitched. ‘Did he just say all of that because I told him he would be a musician?” “Heh, Slater smirked proudly, rubbing his nose as he truly impressed Hugo. “Small thing.”

“First Brother, what about you?” Hugo then turned to Atlas. “Since we’re already talking about what we’re going to achieve when we’re adults, what are you going to be?”

10:20

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227 A promise that would shape them

“Isn’t it obvious?” Slater pouted. “First Brother will manage the family business.”

“Ohh…” Hugo rocked his head. “Right.”

Atlas darted his eyes between his brothers and then at Penny. It didn’t seem like they were interested to hear what he would be in the future, because Atlas’s future was already sealed. But before the three move on to another topic, he spoke.

“I’ll make sure all of your goals will come true.”

The three blinked, staring at him curiously.

Slowly, a subtle smile spread across Atlas’s face. “Just do what you want to do and don’t be afraid to fail. You’ll always have a fallback”

Their brows rose as they stared at Atlas before their lips curled up at their eldest brother, whose goal was to make sure they reached their goal without fear.

The three of them smiled from ear to ear before they went quiet, enjoying the serene atmosphere around them.

Tonight, a promise was made, and that promise would shape them as adults.

66

When I had this story idea while writing some other several drafts, I thought of a revenge story. But then, I asked myself,

What is actual caus