Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Josefina's words hit Lena like a sonic boom-loud, piercing, and utterly disorienting. Lena felt a turmoil inside, a desperate need to flee the scene, but she knew that running would make her look guilty.

Lena stared at Josefina, who returned her gaze. As they locked eyes, Lena's expression betrayed panic, her voice laced with anger. "What are you blabbering about?! So what if you fancy Oliver? Am I not allowed to have feelings for him too? Josefina, you weren't even part of the Harrison clan when I fell for him. Why must you steal him from me?"All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Josefina took a step forward, her look full of unspoken messages. "Lena, you might convince yourself of that, but I'm not buying it. Your eyes give you away; you don't really like Oliver, and you're just pretending. What's your game, Lena?"

Lena stumbled back, her voice sharp as a knife. "Josefina, you've already taken my place and kicked Regina out. What else do you want?"

"Did I really drive Regina away? Wasn't it you who conspired with her to slander Annika? When the truth came out, she had no choice but to leave. The real culprit isn't us. It's you. Would she dare to do it without your backing? And would your diamond necklace be just left out in the open? I don't believe you'd be that careless."

Josefina had noticed how protective Lena was of her belongings, always securing them away. That diamond necklace was studded with countless gems. Surely Lena wouldn't part with it so easily.

Josefina's piercing gaze made Lena's heart throb with discomfort, but she couldn't say more without risking exposure. Fuming, she glared at Josefina. "I've had enough of this nonsense. Now that you've established yourself in the Harrison family, are you planning to kick me out next? You're so cold-hearted, Josefina."

As Lena backed away, ready to

storm off, she caught sight of Hattie emerging In a flash, she covered her face with her hands and ran back the way she came, sobbing to Hattie as she passed, "Mom, it's not Josie's fault." And with that, Lena was gone.

Josefina, perplexed and a bit exasperated by Lena's theatrics, found herself standing next to Hattie as the evening breeze picked up. Side by side, Hattie and Josefina looked more like sisters than mother and daughter.

"I really don't know why she's crying," Josefina said.

Hattie sighed, "I saw everything. I just don't understand what's gotten into Lena."

Unbeknownst to Lena, surveillance cameras had been installed at the gate. It was Josefina's suggestion for added security. Josefina had just returned, and her suggestion not opposed by Garrett, so they had someone install a pinhole camera.

Hattie, noticing Lena's exchange with Josefina, couldn't discern the content of their conversation from afar. But once she checked the security feed on her phone, she heard their dialogue.

Shocked, Hattie struggled to

reconcile the sweet, sensible Lena she knew with the daughter spewing such venom. Since Josefina's return, Hattie had tried to treat both girls equally. She had bought plenty of clothes for Lena before, and now that Josie was back, it seemed only fair to spoil her a little too.