Chapter 131

"Let's get off here. We can talk while we walk." Vida tried to pull her out of the elevator.

Liliana shook her off and pressed the button for the first floor. "Whatever it is, we can talk outside."

"Don't go!" Vida pried the elevator doors open, trying to drag her out. "Why are you being so difficult? I'm doing all of this for you, and this is the attitude I get? Would I ever do anything to hurt you?"

A nurse pushing a medicine cart stopped outside the elevator. "Are you two going up or getting off?"

"We're getting off," Vida answered, keeping the doors open. "We'll be out of your way right away."

As long as Liliana stayed in the elevator, Vida wouldn't let the doors close. Defeated, Liliana stepped out.

"Honestly," Vida began, pulling her toward the OB/GYN clinic, "we spent so much on you when you were little-piano lessons, getting you into a good university-all so you would be worthy of Cedric. And now that you're married, you're causing us even more trouble!" She launched into a self-pitying monologue about all the sacrifices they had made for Liliana. "Even if you're not doing it for Hale, or for us, you should do it for yourself! You need to secure your position as Mrs. Forrest! You'll be living a life of luxury. Even if you don't give us a single penny, your father and I will be happy as long as you're happy."

Her words went in one ear and out the other. They stopped in front of a door at the end of the hall. Vida pulled a face mask from her pocket. "Put this on, just in case we run into someone we know."

Liliana looked at the nameplate on the door: Jade Wilde, Head of Obstetrics, Riverbend Hospital. Specialty: Fertility.

"There's nothing wrong with me," she said, refusing the mask.

But Vida ignored her, forcing the mask over her face. "Nothing

wrong? Then why haven't you gotten pregnant in two years?" Seeing. Liliana about to leave, she grabbed her hand. "The only connections our family has left are at this hospital! Your father pulled a lot of strings to get you an appointment with Dr. Wilde. She's an expert in this field!"

"Getting pregnant isn't just up to me!" Liliana pushed her hand away and ripped off the mask.

"The Forrest family has a full

physical every year. Do you really think there's something wrong with Cedric?" When Liliana continued to resist Vida's face darkened. "You already failed with Hale's situation. If you defy us on this too, are you trying to give your father a heart attack?"

The hospital wasn't crowded, but there were still staff members and a few patients around. Their argument was drawing stares.

"Fine. I'm ungrateful. Everything I do is wrong. I'm always upsetting you. Maybe you should just stop worrying about me altogether."

"Just do as you're told!" Vida said, reaching for the doorknob.

Seeing her chance, Liliana turned and ran. She ducked into a nearby stairwell and raced down to the first floorobby But as the burst out of the Starwell, she ran right into her father, Chuck, who was hurrying in. He took one look at her and knew what was happening.

"What do you think you're doing?" His voice boomed through the lobby, much louder than Vida's. "Are you defying us now? Do you want to be disowned? Do you want to give up the name 'Preston'?"

Everyone in the lobby turned to stare. Including Cedric, who was on the phone on the second-floor balcony, looking down at the scene. He had a clear view of Liliana. In the sudden quiet of the hospital, he could hear every word they said.

"No, I'll keep the name 'Preston,"" Liliana's voice was sharp with sarcasm. "In fact, I'll go right back upstairs, get my checkup, and do everything I can to get pregnant with

a Forrest heir and secure my position as Mrs. Forrest. Is that what you want to hear?"