Chapter 21


    Lena waltzed in, standing at a neat 5''3", donning a white dress, with her long hair flowing straight


    down. Her features weren''t exactly stunning, but she sported a gentle smile that made her look like


    the epitome of a delicate little girl.


    Pretending she was clueless about Josefina''s identity, Lena beelined for Hattie, grabbing her arm


    and cooing like a spoiled child, "Mom, did you have the designer send over some new clothes for


    me again? You know, I have plenty. No need to splurge!"


    Hattie gazed at Lena with motherly love, a bit taken aback. "Lena, you''re back! Why didn''t you give


    us a heads-up? I would''ve sent the driver to pick you up."


    "I wanted to surprise you guys! The food abroad was just awful, and nothing beats home cooking. I


    rushed back as soon as the conference was over, hoping to catch you and Dad before you woke


    up."


    Hattie affectionately patted her arm. "You and your surprises."


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    Lena turned to Josefina with a scrutinizing look. "Mom, who''s this?"


    After Hattie had Josefina sit down, she filled Lena in on the situation. Lena felt like the sky was


    falling—she was aplete wreck, scared out of her wits.


    "I''m not a Harrison? How can I not be your daughter..." Her eyes brimmed with tears that streamed


    down her face.


    She was a pro at ying up these emotions, and Hattie, holding her hand, spoke in a soothing tone


    to calm her down. "Lena, we''ve found out about your birth family, and sadly, they''re no longer with


    us. But you''re still my daughter and will continue to live with the Harrisons. You''re just as much my


    own."


    Her eyes softened even more when she looked at Josefina. "Now that Josie''s back, you''ll be calling


    her ''sister.'' She''s just a month older than you."


    Lena knew things had changed. Everything had changed. Now that Hattie and Garrett''s biological


    daughter was back home, would they truly treat Lena like their own? She wasn''t buying it!


    Despite the chaos within, Lena''s expression remained as pitiful as ever. She looked down, biting her


    red lips, a tumult of emotions within, struggling toe to terms with her new reality.


    How did this happen? Why wasn''t she the daughter of the wealthy Harrisons? If word got out, she''d


    be theughingstock among those heiresses!


    The old Lena was so haughty and never gave any of them the time of day. Her pride made her feel


    superior. But now, she felt like a boulder was crushing her, leaving her breathless and cornered.


    No way, she couldn''t let anyone find out about this! Absolutely not! If that man found out, he''d surely


    dump her!


    Lifting her head, Lena''s eyes, wet and innocent, looked up like a helpless fawn. "Mom, how I wish I


    were your daughter. But now you''re telling me I''m not a Harrison. Maybe I should leave. Josefina is


    back, and you all are a family. She... she needs you more than I do."


    Josefina could not believe what she was hearing. She watched Lena''s performance quietly, sensing


    that her grandmother''s situation might''ve been linked to her.


    Without evidence, Josefina couldn’t jump to conclusions. She''d wait for the investigation results.


    Josefina blinked her bright and clear eyes. "What are you getting at? I''m not pushing you away. The


    family''s raised you for so long. How could they feel no affection for you? Even if we had a little cat


    or dog, we''d grow attached to it, so why would we kick you out? We''re not that heartless."