Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Lena woke from her nap to the sound of silence-her family had vanished. She called out to Regina, seeking an explanation.

Regina hesitated before replying, "They've gone to pick up Josefina. Ms. Hattie made it clear I was not to wake you, saying you needed your rest."

Fury ignited within Lena. "Oh, they're worried about my sleep, or are they just afraid I'll rain on their parade? All this talk of treating me like their own flesh and blood, yet I'm always the odd one out!" Regina tried to soothe her. "Miss Lena, please don't be cross. It's not worth your health. I think they went to uphold ties with the Baldwin family, not just for Josefina."

Lena scoffed. "Josefina claims she's got healing skills. I don't buy it! If she's cozied up to the Baldwin family, that's her own cunning at work."

Regina clammed up. The Baldwins were the world's richest family, after all. For the Harrisons to have an alliance with the Baldwins was a boon beyond compare.

didn't take you, you can still

the idea, Lena dashed upstairs. She applied minimal makeup, slipped into her sporty chic outfit-mirroring Josefina's style without realizing it—and

had finished dinner and were preparing to

deep in conversation

noticed Lena first. "Lena,

it was deliberate. She smiled through gritted teeth. "Mom, I heard you were fetching Josie. You should've woken me. We're family, and we should've come together as one." Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the

gentle. "Lena, you need your afternoon rest. Poor sleep during the day leads to insomnia at night. I couldn't bear to wake you. We had enough hands to bring your sister home." Lena bit back further words,

Brandon farewell.

for

"Josie, visit anytime.