Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess novel Chapter 64

Josefina felt a surge of warmth in her heart and, on impulse, called out, "Mom, thank you."

Hattie's eyes sparkled with delight. "Oh my, my baby girl just called me 'Mom!'"

She was so thrilled she wanted to shout it from the rooftops.

"My girl said 'Mom' before 'Dad!'"

"Ha! That means I'm the numero uno in her heart!"

Hattie, bubbling with excitement, gripped Josefina's hand but then worried she might be squeezing too hard. She let go, fretting, "Sweetheart, did I squeeze too tight?"

Josefina couldn't help but chuckle. She'd merely said 'Mom,' and Hattie was over the moon. Memories from her childhood flashed before her eyes. She remembered stumbling toward Lauren, calling her 'Mom,' only to be pushed to the ground.

"I'm not your mother, and you're nothing but a little brat!" Lauren's harsh words still echoed in her mind.

Josefina's nose tingled with the sting of old wounds as she stared at Hattie, her eyes brimming with warm tears. The regrets of her youth seemed to be healing as she grew older.

Hattie was taken aback, clumsily dabbing at Josefina's tears. "Oh honey, why the tears? Did I say something wrong? It's okay if you don't want to call me Mom. As long as you're happy, it's all good."

Garrett strode in quickly, his heart fracturing at the sight of Josefina's tears falling like pearls. "What's wrong, pumpkin? Don't you worry. I'll drag Xavier and Ruby here to get on their knees and apologize!"

Nothing hurts a father like his daughter's tears.