And now, with a baby on the way, Selena's fears had intensified. She couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her child, or to Liam, who had already been through so much. She felt like she was living in a constant state of hyper-vigilance, always on the lookout for potential threats. She was so exhausted.
Selena's anger and frustration simmered just below the surface. She was furious that they still hadn't found the culprit behind the attack, despite the best efforts of their security team. It was as if the perpetrator had vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a trail of questions and suspicions. She felt like she was slowly blossoming into someone like her own Mother, not the hurt and tragically killed Molly. She started to see why Eun Ho was cynical, brutal, and pessimistic.
Not only did Eun Ho know that the world was going to fall into major disarray in her lifetime, but someone had been after her life, her whole life. No wonder her Dad was an outward sadist and a masochistic wife slave inside. They needed to be.
Selena's mind kept circling back to the same question: who could have done this? The wedding had been hastily planned, and only a handful of people had known about it. That narrowed down the list of suspects, but it also made Selena realize that the perpetrator must have been someone close to them, someone who had been trusted.
Her thoughts turned to her family, and a shiver ran down her spine. She had always known that her family was complicated, with secrets and lies woven into the fabric of their relationships. But could it be that one of them was capable of something so heinous?
Selena's suspicions centered around her uncle Edward Lowrie, her aunt Elham Muhammad Lowrie, her grandfather Park Gulduk, and Park Jun Pyo. Each of them had a motive, each of them had a history of ruthless behavior. And each of them stood to gain something from the deaths of Selena and her loved ones.
As she thought back to her past life, Selena realized that there was a pattern of suspicious deaths that seemed to follow the Lowrie family. Upon review as she researched her database. Everyone in the Lowrie, Kinsman, Park, and Noe families had died under circumstances that were questionable, at best.
It was as if they were being systematically eliminated, one by one. It was possible one or two members were left alive in the end? But who would know how to do that and if it would work out? Maybe they did not know and they could only short sight and avoid dangers themselves if it was Uncle Ed and Aunt Ellie?
Selena's emotions laid just below the surface of her cold practiced facade as she thought about the loyalty tests that her grandmothers, Amelia and Noe Jin-ae, were planning to orchestrate. She didn't want to have to deal with the stress and uncertainty of testing the loyalty of those around her, but at the same time, she knew it was necessary.
The fact that her mother had already investigated everyone else in the pillar families, the other seer families, and their competitors multiple times, only to come up empty-handed, was a clear indication that the traitor was closer to home. It was time to point the investigation inward, to examine the loyalty of those within their own family.
Selena's mind recoiled at the thought of suspecting her own family members, but she knew it was a necessary evil. She couldn't continue living in a state of constant fear and uncertainty, never knowing who to trust. The loyalty tests would be a painful and difficult process, but ultimately, they would bring her closer to the truth.
As she thought about the tests, Selena's anger and frustration began to boil over. She was angry at the world for putting her in this situation, angry at her family for potentially harboring a traitor, and angry at herself for not being able to trust those around her. She felt like she was living in a nightmare, and she didn't know how much longer she could keep going on like this.
But as she looked at Liam, who was still working through his physical therapy exercises, Selena felt a surge of sadness, rage, and inspiration. Her loved ones had always been her bottom line.
They included Uncle Ed, Aunty Ellie, and her cousin Monty. And based on the conversations she had in private with Liam about the future. It would have to be a massive betrayal for Edward to turn against them. Edward inherited all of the Lowrie assets in the UK. He was obscenely wealthy. Her Father built his own empire and had Kinsman assets, which were in the same amount. Edward would not turn against Jonathan, would he?
Selena smiled softly, encouraging Liam, but it did not match the storm that was brewing in her mind. She would get through this, no matter what it took. She would uncover the truth, and she would make sure that those responsible were held accountable.
Liam finished up his physiotherapy, his eyes locking onto Selena as he observed her distant expression. She seemed to be a million miles away, lost in thought. Liam recognized the symptoms of PTSD, having seen them in himself after his own traumatic experiences. But Selena's expression was different, haunted by a deep-seated exhaustion that seemed to go beyond just physical fatigue.
As he walked towards her, his sore muscles quivering with each step, Liam couldn't help but think about how tough the past few weeks had been on Selena. The attack, the investigation, the constant looking over her shoulder... it was taking a toll on her, and Liam could see it in her eyes.
"Hey, you look like you're a million miles away," Liam said, trying to break the spell that seemed to have been cast over Selena.
Selena looked up, a faint smile on her lips. "No, just tens of thousands of miles away," she replied, her voice low and depressed.
Liam's heart went out to her. He knew that she was struggling to cope with the aftermath of the attack, and he wanted to be there for her, to support her through this tough time.
"So, you're all done?" Selena asked, her eyes sparkling with a hint of concern. "I brought lunch. It's back in your room. You look exhausted. Do you want to hop in the chair or do you think you can make it back?"
Randi, the physical therapist, piped up from across the room, "Use the chair, Liam. You've had a tough session today."
Liam nodded, grateful for the suggestion. As he sank into the chair, he couldn't help but think about how much he appreciated Selena's care and concern. She was always looking out for him, making sure he was okay, and it meant the world to him.
As Selena pushed him back to his room, Liam reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thanks for being here for me, Selena," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
As Selena pushed Liam's wheelchair into his room at the rehabilitation center, the warm late summer sunlight streamed in through the large window, casting a golden glow over the space. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers from the garden outside, which was visible through the window.
The room was simply decorated, with cream-colored walls and pale wood furniture. A comfortable-looking bed dominated one wall, with a bedside table and lamp beside it. A small desk and chair sat in one corner, with a TV mounted on the wall opposite the bed.
The room was quiet, except for the sound of birds chirping outside and the occasional murmur of voices from the hallway. The atmosphere was peaceful and calming, a soothing respite from the stresses of the outside world.
On the bedside table, a vase held a bouquet of fresh flowers, their colors bright and cheerful. A large, wicker picnic basket sat on the desk, overflowing with a variety of delicious foods.
Selena, a heavy eater despite her slender frame, had packed an assortment of sandwiches, including turkey, ham, and vegetarian options, all made with whole-grain bread. There were also containers of creamy soups, fresh fruit, and cut veggies with hummus.
In addition to the indulgent treats, Selena had also included a selection of healthy snacks, such as energy balls made with oats and nuts, and trail mix with dried fruit and seeds. As a 12-week pregnant woman, Selena was mindful of her own nutritional needs and wanted to make sure she was fueling her body with the best foods possible.
Desserts were not forgotten, either. Selena had baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies and had also included a few pieces of fresh fruit tart. Liam's eyes widened as he took in the spread, and Selena smiled, happy to see him so enthusiastic about food.