Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Josefina lingered in the shadows, her ears catching the sobs that echoed from the living room.

"Mom, Dad, if you go public with the news of finding my sister, I... What will people think of me? I don't want to endure their stares. I'm already not your flesh and blood. Are you planning to send me away?" Garrett and Hattie had planned a welcome home party for Josefina to announce to everyone that their daughter was back. In the midst of discussing it, Lena had overheard and burst into tears, spilling her insecurities and grievances.

Still, the couple was steadfast in their desire to throw Josefina a welcome bash.

"Lena, honey, Mom understands how you're feeling, but your sister has had a rough eighteen years. Our investigation revealed she had a pretty tough childhood, a life far from pleasant. If the townsfolk hadn't been kind to her, she might not have made it to the day we found her," Hattie said, her voice full of empathy.

Garrett chimed in, "Josie is our daughter, and so are you, the child we've raised for eighteen years. We won't treat either of you unfairly. Lena, when the time comes for you to marry, we'll provide a handsome wedding gift and find you a suitable match. We just want to announce Josie's identity, so everyone knows she is Garrett's daughter."

matter what, you're

really going to announce her identity?" Her gaze was filled with helplessness, as if she was the victim. Hattie was torn,

shining as she addressed her parents, "Let's keep my identity secret for now. The more people who know, the more trouble it brings. I'm

knew too well that if her identity became public, she'd be under constant scrutiny, and her peace would be shattered. She didn't want to face the kind of attention that would strip her

secret, hers would too, and she could continue living the charmed life she was used to. Lena's heart, which had been hovering

Josefina, "Josie, I'll hire bodyguards to keep

"If it gets too much, I'll send you abroad for your studies. You can pick any school

daughter's happiness was

being too wealthy can put you at