Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Lena stood at the front door and, as expected, saw Hattie and Garrett returning with Josefina in tow. The sight stabbed at her heart, sparking a storm of jealousy and rage within her. Why did it have to be like this?

Jealous she may have been, but Lena plastered a smile across her face and bounded to the door to greet them. "Hey, Mom, Dad, Josie, you're back! Did you guys have dinner together?"

A glimmer of hurt desperately trying to hide itself showed in Lena's eyes. Whoever saw it couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

Holding a bag in her hand, Hattie said with maternal warmth, "We called you earlier to join us for dinner, but you said you were busy, so we went without you."

Garrett chimed in with a smile, "Yeah, we even ran into Oliver and Brandon at the restaurant."

Oh, Lena! She had missed out big time! If only she'd known, she would have joined them!

Hattie handed the bag to Lena. "Here's your favorite lemon drizzle cake. I had it boxed up, especially for you."

sleeve, chatting affectionately. They were standing close as if they were the true mother and daughter. Josefina didn't seem to mind.

rest. You must be

kitchen whip up a nourishing broth for you to take to the

nodded with a

Lena kept up her cheerful façade.

Oliver calling. She hesitated for a few seconds before answering. His voice, rich and seductive, filled the line. "You left your bracelet at my place." Only then did Josefina realize her bracelet was missing. "Why didn't you tell me right away if you knew I'd lost my bracelet?" she challenged, perplexed as to why he'd called just to tell her. Oliver's laugh was thick with amusement, his voice playfully teasing through

flushed red. Sitting on

about lunch tomorrow? I'll return your bracelet then,"

swamped

least you could do was treat me to a meal," he

reluctantly. "It might