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?!

❗ THIS WORK IS NOT MINE ❗

❗ DON'T REPORT ❗

"This is impossible." Penny looked at the marriage certificate in between her fingers. "Since when did I get married?"

Penny studied the printouts in her hand. The woman in the certificate was definitely her, but this man... Penny couldn't recall ever meeting him. The man in the certificate had a well-proportioned face with symmetrical facial features. He had a strong, defined jawline, adding a masculine look to him. His long, sharp, deep-set eyes were dark but very captivating.

As Penny wondered about this situation, her phone rang.

"Heya! How's the wedding?" asked the person from the other end of the line.

"Well, turns out I'm married."

"Congrats!"

Penny frowned, thinking Yugi didn't get what she was trying to say. "Yugi, can you look up this man named..." Her eyes veered to her 'husband's' name. "Zoren Pierson."

"Who's that?"

"That's what I want to find out. I'll call you again later." Penny ended the call and gazed at the certificate once again.

All her life, she had been waiting for this day to come. The day she could marry herself off and leave her household. It was no secret that Penny had been wanting to get out of the family. It was for the best for everyone, especially for herself. However, no one knew Penny had another big secret.

This wasn't her first life.

She promised that in this lifetime, she would live it on her own terms. But now, that plan was slightly shaken by the man registered as her husband.

"I don't know if this is a good thing, but what I know is I have to fix this," she whispered as her eyelids drooped. "I can't afford to make the same mistake I did in my first life."

Her first life ended in a tragedy. Thinking about it, Penny told herself she couldn't afford a mishap in this lifetime.

*

*

*

[How her life ended and started.]

"I... didn't do it."

Penny looked at the man seated on the other side of the glass. The first thing she noticed was his untrimmed beard, his messy hair, and the dark bags under his eyes. This was her eldest brother, Atlas, the once-admired CEO of Global Prime Logistics.

"Brother, just this once... please." Penny planted her hand on the glass as her eyes brimmed with tears. "... please, believe me. I didn't do it. I'm innocent. It wasn't me."

Atlas slowly lifted his olive-brown eyes, the natural allure in them still present. However, it paled in comparison to the helplessness and hopelessness within them.

"Innocent?" he repeated quietly. "Penny, you wouldn't be behind that glass if you were innocent."

"No." Tears flooded her face as her entire body and voice shook in desperation. "I am innocent. Please... help me."

"Even if it's true, Penny, it's over." Atlas smiled wryly. "You did what you did, and now we're paying the price."

A whimper escaped her tightly sealed lips as she shook her head in denial.

"Hugo's dead, and Slater... his career's dead too." Tears formed in the corner of his eyes as he gazed at the once beautiful Penny, who seemed to have aged in prison just months after her trial ended. "Our lives are over, Penny. People see us as terrorists, enemies of the country, corrupt to the core. You proved that when you made your confession."

"But I only did that so they wouldn't arrest you too —"

"Enough!" Atlas slammed his hand against the glass between them, grinding his teeth angrily. "I know you hate us, but you... you took it too far. Even after being proven guilty, you still claim you're innocent."

"Because I am!"

"No! Shut up!" he roared, making her flinch. He drew a jagged breath as he leaned forward. "Penny, you listen to me. Just... tell me, why did you do it? I just... want to know."

Penny's heart sank as she bit her quivering lips, tasting her own tears and snot. Looking at her desperate brother, she didn't know what to say anymore. She had already told him everything from beginning to end, but alas, he wouldn't believe her. He never believed a single word she said.

"I'm already on death row..." she hiccuped, placing both her hands on the glass separating them. "And yet, I was still hopeful that for once... you would side with me, your real younger sister. Just this once."

Her breath hitched as her tears blurred her vision. She wasn't asking him for too much. She never asked them for too much. All she wanted was to be accepted by her brothers and treated as family. But alas, even at this moment, he still couldn't give that.

Very well.

"I hate you," she whispered, her voice shaky but clear. "I hate all of you... there you go. You heard my reason. Did that give you enough peace now? I might be in prison now, but I'm not the only one going down. You, your brothers, and that pretentious little sister you so adore!"

Atlas scoffed as he staggered back. "I knew it... you're jealous."

"Yes, I am jealous!" Penny yelled her frustrations out. "I was swapped even before my mother could embrace me! I grew up with an abusive aunt who would sell me for anything! And when I thought I was finally going to have a good life since my family found me, you, Hugo, and Slater never failed to make me feel I didn't belong there every single day! You never failed to make me feel you would prefer to have this person who isn't your real sister as your family over me, who is your flesh and blood!"

"I did everything, Atlas. Everything. I worked hard and studied hard ten times more than anyone in hopes you'd like me. I enrolled in all martial arts classes to have common ground with Hugo and even studied music and arts so there's something I could talk about with Slater!" Her voice cracked as she balled her hands on the glass. "So, yes, I am jealous, because Nina didn't have to do all that for you guys to like her!"

"You really are something." Atlas couldn't help but laugh in ridicule, shaking his head in disbelief. "I knew it. I knew you were bad news when you came into our house that day."

He took a deep breath, trying to process what he heard. "Well..." he ran his tongue across his inner cheek, speechless. "At least now, I understand."

"Atlas..."

"I heard your execution date is set." He offered her a bitter smile, rocking his head. "I... don't know what to say, Penelope. I just finished Hugo's funeral arrangement, so... I'll get you a good resting place, but it won't be in the same place as our parents and Hugo's."

After saying his piece with great difficulty, Atlas turned his back on her. Penny just sat on the same chair listlessly even after he was gone.

Everything she told him was true, but it was just a fraction of it. The truth was, with her desire to be seen by her brothers, Penny believed a malicious person. She was so blinded that she thought she was doing the right thing, only for her brothers and Penny to be accused of a crime they never committed.

To make amends, Penny took all the blame. Even so, her confession only saved her brothers from getting behind bars. She couldn't stop the repercussions that struck their family business, her brother's reputation, and their lives and careers.

That was the first and last visit Penny had until her execution day.

*****

Dragging her feet to the place that would be her last stop, Penny kept her eyes downcast. She had already lost track of time and her will to live was almost gone. When she sat down on the metal chair, she glanced at the officers who were strapping her body to the chair. Once they were finished, they all left her in a small square room with only a mirror across from her.

This was the first time she had seen herself in months. She looked... horrible, pathetic, and helpless. It reminded her of Atlas and how he looked the last time he came to see her.

"We'll start with the process now." Suddenly, a voice from the speaker attached to the upper corners of the execution room caressed her ears. "Is there anything else you want to say?"

Anything she wanted to say?

The corner of her lips twitched a little as she whispered, "If I ever get to live in my next life, I'd rather be an orphan than become their sister." Penny almost didn't finish her last words as electricity traveled from her brain to the end of her toes.

It hurt like hell, but she couldn't scream. All she could do was clench her teeth as she seized. She didn't know how long it took, but she could remember the scent of burnt flesh before succumbing to the darkness.

******

The sound of a soothing lullaby caressed her from her deep slumber.

'So warm...'Penny immediately frowned before she could open her eyes. 'Why... am I waking up?'

As far as she could remember, she should've been electrocuted to death. There was no other expectation after that! Her story should've ended with that! Confusion clouded her mind before a sudden conclusion crossed her mind that silenced all of her chaotic thoughts.

'Don't tell me the electric chair broke down and I have to do all of that again!?'

Penny gasped in horror, about to push herself up on instinct. But alas, she immediately realized she couldn't move her arms and legs.

'Am I strapped?'she wondered, opening her lips to make a sound. Much to her horror, what she heard was a baby coo.

Huh?

'What in the world —'Penny froze when an unfamiliar face hovered over her. Only then did she also realize there was a warm lamp over her.

"Hi, baby," said the nurse in a small voice. "Your mommy will pick you up in a bit, hmm?"

Penny looked at the woman in horror, looking around her surroundings while wiggling herself out of the blankets wrapped around her.

'Baby decorations, warm lights, small transparent tubs...'She was flabbergasted at the sudden conclusion in her heart. 'Am I... am I do I think I am?! Holy shi—'

"Hik... hik... wah!"

Her train of thought stopped when she heard a baby cry, which she quickly realized had come from her. Before she knew it, the rest of the babies in the nursery took her cries as a challenge and also started making noises until they cried like a choir.

In the eyes of a child, you will see the world as it should be... except this child.

Right this very moment, Penny was sure all her eyes were screaming was horror. Babies were meant to be innocent, free from worries and wonders of the world. They should be sleeping soundlessly, smiling innocently, and simply a delightful existence. Not a baby with the memory of her criminal record!

Was she reborn? Did she reincarnate so soon?

Myriads of questions crossed her newborn brain, but none of them were answered. Thinking back to the time before she woke up in this small body, Penny could vividly remember her time in prison and all the years she spent trying to be a part of the family she was rightfully a member of, like it was yesterday.

Just like that time when her so-called family found her, Penny felt this same exact sense of hope for a new beginning.

It happened sometime around winter.

*

*

*

Penny rubbed her little hands together and blew on them to give herself some warmth. The tip of her nose was red, and some snowflakes clung to her cheeks. Her body shivered within the worn-out and short jacket she had since she was six years old.

"Auntie!" she called from the outside, knocking on the small gates with her bare fingers. "Auntie, I learned my lesson now. Please let me in?"

Penny stood on her toes, barely catching sight of the house's small front yard through the small gate.

"Auntie?" she called, her eyes welling up. Her gaze veered to the small window, where she could see her auntie preparing warm soup for her children.

"Auntie, it's cold here..." her voice lowered as it shook along with the mild breeze that blew past her. "... please let me in? I'll be good!"

Penny clasped the cold metal gates as she sniffed, wiping her tears with her sleeve that only reached half of her arm. She turned around and hugged herself, rubbing her shoulders and then her hands together while blowing on them. Looking around, snow already blanketed almost everything.

The houses were all closed to protect themselves from the unbearably cold season. Penny was just thirteen, but she knew if she stayed out of there, she would freeze to death. Looking back at the gate one more time, she realized her auntie's anger wouldn't cease anytime soon.

With that thought in mind, Penny dragged her feet away.

'Aunt Baby went to her husband's place,' she thought, thinking of the only neighbor who showed concern for her. If this neighbor was only here, Penny would've been in her place the minute her real auntie chased her away after Penny accidentally spilled soup in her hand.

'Harvey's mom might let me in their house for the time being,' was what she told herself, reminded of a friend around the community. 'Hoo... so cold.'

As Penny walked on the side of the street, she did everything to keep herself warm. She was glad she was already wearing this jacket while doing chores back home. If not, her auntie would've chased her out with whatever she had on.

On her way to her friend's house, Penny slowed down at the sight of three sedans driving carefully down the street.

'They look so luxurious,' was the first thing that came into her mind. 'But why are they driving in this poor neighborhood?'

Penny found herself in awe of the two shiny black sedans and one big SUV. Unknowingly, her steps slowed down even more, following the cars with her gaze until her neck was twisting. Much to her surprise, the parade stopped in front of her auntie's house.

"Huh?" Curiosity brimmed her eyes, wondering if her auntie found herself in trouble again due to her bad gambling habits and her big mouth.

Penny didn't want to stop and postpone finding herself some warmth. However, since there were unknown people outside her auntie's house, she walked back. Whether they were guests or they would arrest her auntie, this was her chance to get inside the house.

"Uhm... excuse me?" she called meekly as soon as a middle-aged man in a lavish black coat stepped out of the vehicle. "Mister, do you need help?"

The man was tall and with a petite girl on his side, he gazed down at her. Penny almost flinched when their eyes met. It was already cold, but his eyes were even more piercingly chilly.

"I happen to live in this house." She pointed at the gates, eyes on him. "By any chance, are you looking for my auntie?"

"No," said the man, studying the young lady before him. The teen in front of him already had white residue clinging to her face, indicating she had been out in this cold for quite some time now. Yet, despite her shivering shoulders, she looked at him with genuine curiosity, as if this weather was something she could fight for a long time.

"Is your name Penelope?" he asked in the same flat tone.

Deep lines appeared on Penelope's brows. Did her auntie use her again as collateral? Penny intuitively took a step back as all sorts of negative thoughts swirled in her mind. The curiosity in her eyes now had a mix of fear.

Not long ago, Penny had to pay for her auntie's debt by doing free work in the restaurant owned by one of her auntie's mahjong buddies. If that person hadn't been arrested, Penny would still be working there. Considering these people seemed to be well-off, she was afraid this time around, doing labor wasn't the only thing they would want from her. Perhaps her organs this time!

"Get her a coat," ordered the middle-aged man while keeping his gaze on Penny. "The Young Miss is cold."

Young Miss?

Penny narrowed her eyes before she saw a subtle smile turned up on the middle-aged man's face. His smile might be short, but for some reason, it brought this warmth and reassurance in her heart. The man casually took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

"Young Miss, we're here to bring you back home," he said gently, the commanding tone of his voice still present. "We'll explain everything to you with your auntie."

He paused and nodded at her reassuringly. "You are safe now."

*******

Safe.

Oh, how those words sounded so reassuring and warm back then. Penny actually believed the man was telling the truth. She was safe and no one would maltreat her ever again. When he revealed the situation to Penny and her auntie, Penny almost jumped with joy.

Back then, in her mind, she thought she would never feel left out again. Her real family was taking her home. But alas, she was wrong. The warmth she felt from that man was short-lived, like a futile flame in this fiercely cold season. Penny never got out of that cold winter. It was just a different place, different people, and slightly different life but it was all too the same.

*

*

*

'Damn it!' she heard herself hic as she remembered her pathetic life. 'If I truly got reincarnated, I won't make the same mistakes I did!'

Penny's consciousness felt very active one moment ago, but now she felt sleepy. Considering she was a newborn, sleeping was only natural. As she slowly dwindled to slumber, she caught an unfamiliar nurse entering the nursery while looking around cautiously.

Huh?

Penny flinched when she felt her crib move. Forcing herself to study the person, her vision was still a little blurry.

'What is she doing?' she wondered when her crib stopped, watching the figure move around. After a second, she heard something light fall. 'What is... going on...?'

Before she could process what was happening, Penny slowly fell into another deep slumber.

*

*

*

"So, this is the child?"

"Yes, and the —"

"Tch! Can't you find someone else to take care of that bitch's child?!"

The nurse smiled apologetically. "Ma'am, I'm sorry. But you're the mother's emergency contact..."

'Hmm?' Penny slowly found herself being coaxed out of slumber by the voices around. She opened her eyes, her vision still a little blurry. 'What's... going on now? Did my new mom pick me up? Or is it my dad?'

"Tch!" Another loud snap caressed Penny's eyes, almost sensing this bad premonition at the sound of it. "This is her kid?"

Penny blinked ever so slowly, watching the person move her face closer. As soon as the latter was close enough for her to see clearly, her heart sank as she mentally gasped in horror.

'A — auntie?!'