Lena''s heart skipped a beat as she blurted out, "We need to handle this now. We can''t let anyone uncover what happened back then."


    "I''ve sent people to deal with it, trying to get ahead of those folks before they arrive at the doctor''s," came the assured response.


    Hanging up the phone, Lena''s anxiety gnawed at her. It was one crisis after another. She paced back and forth across her room, running her fingers through her disheveled hair, but her mind refused to settle. Dealing with a Josefina should not be this hard.


    Billy was a bundle of nerves, pacing the living room, his brow furrowed as if the weight of the world was crashing down on him.


    ...


    Lauren yawned, "Billy, for heaven''s sake, what''s eating you? You''re not sleeping, just pacing around like a ghost. The maid nearly had a heart attack going to the loo, thinking she''d seen a specter. Why don''t you turn on some lights?"


    Both Lauren and Ruby, roused from their sleep and d in their nightgowns, were none too pleased.


    Billy, pointing a finger usatorily, said, "How can you two even sleep? Ever since Josefina left this house, ourpany''s been on a roller coaster ride. Just as we see Ruby making some headway, she gets tangled up in this darn mess, nearly tarnishing thepany''s reputation."


    Ruby protested, "Dad, it wasn''t my fault."ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Billy scoffed, "Do you take me for a fool? You thought I wouldn''t find out about the scapegoat you and Erica conjured up?"


    Ruby had forgotten one crucial detail: Billy was the CEO, and there was little within thepany he wouldn''t know about.


    Lauren grumbled, "Billy, stop taking it


    out on Ruby. And stop praising


    Josefina without a cause. What ill intentions could Ruby possibly have? She''s only trying to help you. If it wasn''t for her finding that brilliant designer Erica, would thepany have bounced back?"


    Billy''s gaze locked onto Lauren with an intensity that betrayed his frazzled state. Lauren only seemed to have eyes for Ruby. "Lauren, sometime''s I wonder exactly what Ruby is to you. She doesn''t seem like your daughter-more like your savior. No matter what happens, you''re right there, backing her up, and singing her praises, like she saved your entire family in a past


    life."


    Lauren''s eyes flickered with panic, which she quickly suppressed, "What nonsense are you talking about? Ruby is our daughter. Of course I should cherish her."


    At that moment, Ruby grew curious about her true parentage.


    "Billy, if you keep stuf like that, we''ll both ignore you." Lauren grabbed Ruby''s hand and led her upstairs, "Ruby, let''s go back to bed. Don''t mind your father-he''spletely lost his marbles." Once in Ruby''s room, Lauren brought over her pillow and nket,ying them on Ruby''s bed.


    "Ruby, I''m sleeping with you tonight."


    Lauren climbed into bed without waiting for a reply, making herselffortable. Ruby walked slowly to Lauren''s side of the bed, gazing down at her.


    Lauren, with her eyes closed, sensed something was amiss and opened them abruptly, startled enough to tumble out of bed. "Ruby, what in the world You scared the daylights out of me!" Lauren said, her voice tinged with irritation.


    Ruby helped Lauren up and sat her back on the bed. Sitting beside Lauren, Ruby frowned, her gaze intense and serious, "Mom, whose daughter am I, really?"


    Lauren quickly mped a hand over Ruby''s mouth, listening for any sound. Thankfully, there was silence. In a whisper, Lauren said, "Ruby, why are you bringing this up again? Haven''t I told you to leave these matters be?"