Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Ruby bit her lip, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. There she sat, a silent witness to the storm brewing inside the car.

Why was it suddenly a crime to cry her heart out? Why did Billy, of all people, have to treat her this way?

In the driver's seat, Lauren's voice crackled with fury. "Billy, what the hell is your problem? How can you yell at our daughter like that? Poor Ruby's been through enough, and instead of comforting your own daughter, you're raising your voice at her?"

Stewing in the passenger seat, Billy's mood was already sour, and his patience was wearing thin. "Lauren, how could you still say this now? If Ruby hadn't been parading around with Josefina's stuff as if it were her own, would I have embarrassed myself in front of everyone? Did you not see the looks I was getting?"

And then, to Ruby, he said bitterly, "You've made a laughingstock out of me, caiming other people's things as your own, puffing yourself up like some big shot, and boasting about your so-called design talent. Well, now everyone knows your lies. Why are you so quiet now? I should've never brought you back into the Antonio family. You're nothing but a curse, dragging me to the brink of bankruptcy."

Tears streaming down her face, Ruby stammered, "Daddy, I... I didn't think things would turn out like this."

"Didn't think? Did you not consider the consequences before doing all this?" Billy roared, his question more an accusation.

Lauren, sitting in the backseat, pointed her finger at Billy and shouted, "Billy, what are you implying? You wouldn't be thinking of bringing that little bitch Josefina back, would you?"

"Yes, I want Josefina back. Do you have any idea how much money she brought into this household? Lauren, every little luxury you enjoy, isn't it all thanks to the company's profits? Without Josefina's support, do you think you'd live this comfortably?"

Billy's face was a mask of rage as he spat out, "Let me tell you, Lauren, without Josefina, you wouldn't have this cushy life. If you had treated her a bit better, she wouldn't have pulled all her investments. Our company is going under. Are you happy now?"

Lauren was far from happy, her mind fixated on the designer handbag Hattie had been flaunting. "Billy, did you see the way Josefina's parents were dressed? You think she'd just waltz back here if you asked?" Lauren sneered.

Billy smirked with contempt.

"Lauren, when will you get it? If you had been kind to her, she wouldn't. have withdrawn her financialExclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

support, and we wouldn't be in net

this

mess. Josefina's gone back to her birth parents, and they're living it up. Can't you see that?"

Lauren was speechless. What if she had been nicer, and kept Josefina around? Would their lives be better now? Could that exquisite handbag have been hers?

Lauren's expression soured, and

Ruby, sensing her mother's regret, was worried. "Mom, Dad, why don't you just send me away and bring my sister back? If it makes her happy, I'll do anything. I never should have come back to the Antonios. It's all my fault that our family's in shambles."

Lauren's heart ached as she took Ruby's hand and whispered soothingly, "Ruby, don't talk nonsense. Even if that little bitch wanted to come back, I wouldn't allow it."

Billy scoffed. "Lauren, you think too highly of yourself. Even if you rolled out the red carpet, Josefina wouldn't give us a second glance."