Chapter 39

Liliana had thought her heart had already died when she saw the video of Cedric with another woman, when she heard the cruel words he'd said to her.

She was wrong. She now knew that with Cedric, there was no rock bottom. There was always a new, deeper level of pain.

The physical sting of her injuries was nothing in comparison.

The doctor finished dressing her wounds and handed her a prescription. She took it, thanked him, and left. The sting of being abandoned by her parents was nothing compared to the profound betrayal she felt from Cedric. She had always known what her father was capable of; she had never expected this from her husband.

She returned to Juniper's apartment and showered. She had just gotten out when Vida called.

"Liliana, you got away, right?"

"Yes," Liliana answered, her voice flat.

"Good. Your father knew you'd be able to handle it. That's why he left you there. I know you're angry with him, but you can't abandon Hale. He loves you more than anyone. You can't be so heartless..."

Vida wasn't calling to check on her. She was calling to make sure Liliana wouldn't give up on Hale.

And she wouldn't.

"From now on, the only heart I have is for my brother," she said, and hung up.

She immediately called Attorney Kerr. He had already seen the news reports of the attack. Onlookers had filmed the incident and posted it online, where it had quickly gone viral.

"Miss Preston, please be careful when you go out from now on. However, this incident may actually work in our favor. Many rational people are speaking out online, saying that no matter what, an innocent person should not be attacked."

"Thank you, Attorney Kerr. But I feel helpless. I haven't been able to do anything useful. Is there anything can do to help?" Liliana curled up on

the sofa hugging her knees to on

chest. She looked small ando vulnerable, but her expression was numb, her eyes unfocused.

"Actually, there is something I need you to investigate."

Attorney Kerr had already spoken with the police, who had agreed to give him more time to gather evidence. In cases of staged suicide the deceased was either terminally ill or had experienced a devastating life event and wanted to leave behind a sum of money for their children.

"You need to send someone to check the local hospitals for the deceased's medical records. You also need to send someone to investigate her life for the past few months."

Attorney Kerr stressed the words

*send someone*. The victim's family, if they were aware of the

circumstances, would be waryomet

Don

Liliana. She was now a public figure, and they would recognize her on sight Checking every hospita Riverbend City for medical records was a monumental task, one that was beyond the Preston family's resources.

The Forrest family, however, could do it easily. But Cedric would never help her.

At this point, though, she had no pride left to salvage where he was concerned. The divorce was happening. It didn't matter what he thought of her for using his family's influence to save her brother.

She went to the Forrest estate to see Stoddard. He had just returned from a business trip with Cedric's mother. When Liliana arrived, their suitcases were still in the living room.

"Liliana, perfect timing," Stoddard said. He was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper. He took off his glasses as she entered. "How is your brother's case progressing?"

He brought it up himself. Liliana gave him a brief summary and then mentioned Attorney Kerr's request. "Dad, about checking the hospitals for medical records... do you have any way to help?"

"That's a small matter for our family," Stoddard said without hesitation. "I'll make a few calls and have them send any records to your email."