Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

"Josie, even though it's scorching out, you really should cut back on the iced treats. They're murder on the stomach."

Josefina felt a warmth spread through her at Hattie's care, finding solace in her words that soothed her spirit.

"Okay, I'll stop," Josefina said. Her appetite was waning anyway. Just Regina's and Lena's spiteful faces was enough to make her lose her appetite, especially with Regina's spit flying as she spoke. She didn't even want to touch her bowl anymore.

Even Garrett, whose sensitivity paled in comparison to Hattie's, could sense the shift in Hattie's mood. "Josie, I've got a fireworks show in the works just for you. Once they arrive, we'll have ourselves a spectacle that'll put Oliver's display tonight to shame."

Lena stood up, linking her arm through Garrett's. "Daddy, I want to see the fireworks too."

Josefina eyed Lena's gesture. The coziness of it was the kind of closeness a real daughter would show.

Hattie, catching the scene, chided Lena, "Honey, let go of your father. He's been drinking, reeks of booze - it's enough to knock someone out."

Garrett lifted his arm. "Your mother's right. I need to hit the shower." After saying that, Garrett made himself scarce, keen on not stirring up any trouble with Hattie.

As Garrett left, Hattie, all smiles, turned to Josefina. "What's the chat about, girls?"

Regina and Lena were startled, worried Josefina might just spill the beans. Lena quickly piped up, "We were saying how stunning Josie looked in her evening gown tonight, and how beautiful the fireworks were. Oliver is so good to her."

Regina joined in with a forced laugh, praising Josefina, “Ms. Josefina is so beautiful and kind-hearted. She and Miss Lena are quite the pair of sisters. Ma'am, you're truly blessed."

Josefina couldn't help but chuckle. Regina's insincere words must be a bitter pill to swallow. Oh, how she wanted to burst out laughing!

Hattie, infected by Josefina's mirth, chuckled along, "Josie, what's got you tickled pink?"

Josefina replied, "Hearing Regina compliment me is so foreign; it feels like the first time she's ever said a nice word about me. I'm used to her singing Lena's praises. Never thought my day would come." Regina was left speechless, feeling like Josefina's words were steeped in sarcasm. Were they meant for her ears? Was Josefina doing this on purpose?

As far as Hattie was concerned, if her daughter enjoyed compliments, then it was her duty as a mother to ensure Josefina heard them more often "Regina, if Josie likes the praise, you should dish it out more. Lena's great, but so is Josie You can't play favorites."

Regina's face turned a shade of red. Her expression was stiff as she swallowed her pride. Just moments ago, she had been all high and mighty before Josefina, but now she was reduced to meekness. "Ma'am, from here on out, I'll make sure to praise Ms. Josefina more. Miss Josefina and Ms. Josefina will be treated equally by me."

With a meaningful "Oh?", Josefina added, "But just now, Regina, you weren't treating us equally. Didn't you just imply I couldn't compare to Lena?"NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.

Hattie's expression darkened. "Josie wouldn't lie. Lena, what's this about? You were sitting right across from your sister. You must have heard."

Lena, now in a panic, blurted out, "Mom, Regina means that since Josie just got back, her bond with my sister isn't as deep as with me Regina even told me that, despite Josie being new to the family again, she respects her just the same and is devoted to taking care of her."

Hattie, skeptical, asked, "Josie, is that the truth?"