Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess
Chapter 93

Lena burst through the front door, her heart leaping as she spotted the familiar figure waiting on the porch. She sprinted towards him, her face alight with joy as she latched onto his arm. "Calix, you're finally back! Oh, thank God, I've missed you so much!"

Calix noticed something was off with Lena's expression as if she was holding back a storm of emotions. "Lena, what's wrong? You seem down. Did somebody give you a hard time while I was gone?"

Lena shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears as she clung to him. "Calix, no one's been bullying me. It's just... I found out I'm not your real sister. Do you think you'll stop caring about me now? After all, your real sister is the one you share blood with. You guys are the real family."

Calix's voice was warm and reassuring. "Lena, why would you even think that? Blood or not, we've been a family for eighteen years. You're my sister today, and you'll be my sister forever. Nothing changes that."

Lena felt a weight lift off her chest, yet she couldn't help but reveal her deepest envy. "Your real sister is so lucky. Mom and Dad treat her like she's made of gold, even better than they treat me. And she has your affection, too... I can't help but be jealous."

Calix's brow furrowed with concern. "Are Mom and Dad not treating you right?"

Lena hastily corrected him, "No, Calix, they're good to me, really good." Her tone betrayed her, carrying the unmistakable hint of unspoken grievances, as if she had been bullied and mistreated in Calix's absence.

Seeing his beloved sister so troubled, Calix's protective instincts flared. "Lena, don't you worry. No one gets to mess with you, not on my watch."

Lena's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Calix! You're the best!"

Their heartfelt exchange was interrupted as Josefina walked in. Her eyes danced between Lena and Calix, taking in Calix's boyish charm and infectious dimpled smile that screamed 'teen heartthrob.' "Is this your boyfriend?" Josefina teased.

Lena rolled her eyes. "This is Calix, and he's not my boyfriend. I'm still single, thank you very much."

Josefina chuckled. "Well, you two sure looked cozy, like a pair of lovebirds."

That's when Calix realized Lena was pressed close to him. Lena, however, didn't let go of Calix's arm. She wanted to stake her claim, to show Josefina who the brothers truly adored.

But as Josefina made her quip, Calix gently disentangled himself from Lena, much to her dismay. Lena was expecting Calix to defend her, but instead, she was surprised by his delighted exclamation. "It's you!"

Calix hurried over to Josefina, his eyes shining with recognition. "Don't you remember me?"

Josefina was puzzled. "I've never met you before. How could I forget you?" She genuinely couldn't place Calix. Had he mistaken her for someone else?

Then Calix's smile broadened, his handsome features lighting up with excitement. "In Milan, someone snatched my wallet, and you chased down the thief to get it back for me!"

Now it clicked for Josefina. She had indeed been to Milan for a fashion design contest. She recalled the shouts of 'thief' and how she had sprinted after the culprit, given him a piece of her mind, handed him over to the police, and then returned the wallet to Calix before disappearing into the crowd.

Realization spread across Josefina's face, and she smiled warmly. "Ah, so it was you!"

Josefina's beauty was striking, while Calix's good looks were undeniable. Standing side by side, they resembled each other enough to pass for siblings - the real kind.