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."

good to me." Lena was beaming and clung to Hattie's sleeve, chatting affectionately. They were standing close as if they were the true mother and daughter. Josefina didn't seem to mind. After all, Lena had been raised

Josie, get some rest. You must be exhausted," Hattie

a nourishing broth for you to

with a smile and headed

Letting go of Hattie's arm, Lena kept up her cheerful façade. "Mom, Dad, why don't you guys head in and relax too?" The three of them

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 the phone. "If I'd told you

cheeks flushed red. Sitting on the sofa, biting her lip,

about lunch tomorrow? I'll return your bracelet

swamped

found your bracelet. The least you

"It might