Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

"Lena had been moving in shadows, orchestrating her schemes without our knowledge. Annika confided in me that Lena had tried to tackle Oliver to the ground. Was Lena oblivious to the bond between Josie and Oliver, or did she simply not care about the damage she was causing? Lena, the girl we once knew, was changing right before our eyes."

Hattie lamented with a heavy heart, "I never imagined Lena would change so much. We've showered her with nothing but the best - designer clothes, gourmet foods, you name it. And even though I'm aware she's not my flesh and blood, I've always treated her as my own daughter."

Both were filled with a sense of helplessness, unable to reconcile the Lena they knew with the person she had become.

Lena lay on the bed, her face ashen. She hadn't bathed and was still wearing the clothes from today. Even in her shorts, revealing her legs, she had failed to capture Oliver's attention and had instead earned Annika's scorn.

Fury bubbled within her, her eyes blazing with rage as she bolted upright on the bed, a tempest of anger swirling around her. "Josefina, you wretch! It's all your fault! All because of you!" Lena cursed aloud, pounding the mattress, her rage consuming her.

Her temper flared, her fists beating the bed as her cell phone rang at that precise moment. With a scowl, Lena checked the caller ID and reluctantly answered. It was Edward on the line, and his words twisted her expression into one of utter disgust.

"Lena, why is it that your family's bodyguard told me that Josefina is the true Harrison daughter, and that you are just the girl adopted by the Harrison family? Lena, why have you been lying to me?" Damn that bodyguard. She would find out who dared to spew such nonsense to Edward.

Lena mustered her composure in a heartbeat. "Edward, I'm sorry, it was never my intention to deceive you."

"Edward, what the guard told you is true. I'm not the real Ms. Harrison. I just didn't want you to think less of me. How could I suddenly not be the their daughter after eighteen years with the family? Josefina shows up and steals all the love and attention from my parents."

Edward, moved by her plight, was furious. "That's outrageous! Even if you're not the real Ms. Harrison, they've raised you for eighteen years, and watched you grow. How could they treat you this way? Even raising a pet involves feelings!"

Lena continued, "Edward, I beg you, please keep this secret. If others found out, they'd mock me. Edward, I'm scared."

Her voice, fragile and helpless, ignited Edward's protective instincts. "Lena, trust me, I won't tell a soul. No matter who you are, I... I will always fancy you, forever."

A mocking smile curled Lena's lips. Dream on.

With a soft voice, Lena said, "Edward, thank you, I'm so grateful. Without your support, I don't know what I would've done."

Edward, heart aching for Lena's troubles, comforted her before reluctantly ending the call.

Clutching her phone, Lena's eyes gleamed with vicious intent. She whipped out another device, sending out a barrage of angry messages. Only when she received the responses did she breathe a sigh of relief.

But before she could fully relax, her phone rang again. "Trouble's brewing. Someone's dug up information on a doctor from back in the day."