Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 32

The man’s brows were a cold shade of ash as he scanned her. “You know how much she’s been longing for a grandchild, yet do you even care about this baby? Whitney!”

Whitney froze, at a loss for words.

The baby had come so unexpectedly, and she was forced into this situation. Thus, she truly did not feel very strongly about it.

“What are you getting all riled up for, kiddo? Look at Whitney. Her eyes are all red from you yelling at her,” Natalie’s voice came from the bed as she opened her eyes.

Whitney rushed over, holding Natalie’s hand, her nose tingling with guilt. “Mom, I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking it through. I’ve worried you.”

“Ah, my blood pressure spikes, and I tend to faint, but it’s not as serious as that brat made it sound. Don’t listen

to him!” Natalie caressed her face.

She had always cherished Whitney, holding her close, and Whitney felt incredibly guilty. Since her mother’s death, she had not felt such warmth from anyone. She had not realized her lie would send Natalie rushing to the hospital. She did not know how frail Natalie really was until now, and she seemed more fragile than she had thought.

The man watched her anxious little face, his eyes cold.

“Son, come here, help me up.”

After the old lady got up, she pushed Whitney’s hand into the man’s arm. She seemed fine. Apart from high blood pressure, her spirit was still strong. She shuffled out with Taryn, “I’m heading to the restroom. You go charm your wife. She’s carrying my golden grandchild, so no fighting!”

With that final roar, Natalie even had Xandra shut the door behind her.

The hospital room’s light was a soft white, and silence fell.

The man let go of Whitney’s hand and walked to the window, his tall figure standing coldly.

The chill lingered.

Whitney understood why he was so angry now; she had indeed caused his mother great distress.

Him comforting her? That was impossible.

“L, I’m really sorry…” she said, biting her lip.

Her presence diminished instantly.

back at her, his gaze hard as he stared at her pitiful expression.

so caught up in my vendetta that I neglected how Mom

He eyed

shook her

you’re wrong, admit it; when you’re not,

indignation made the man

frame closed in on her, cornering her against the wall, his voice dark with accusation.

turning

17:47

Chapter 32

He scoffed.

around her waist and, before she could react,

“L! Give that back!”

screen; the phone was intact, and Tiana’s Facebook page was still open, his eyes clouding over. “So you

her struggle, his chest began to heave, and he

His eyes narrowed dangerously.

said coolly, “I haven’t done anything wrong, so why should I be punished? Please don’t joke with me like that; we have a business relationship, and overstepping boundaries would only complicate things. I don’t care which women have been sitting on your lap,

a half–smirk. “Why do I detect a whiff of jealousy? Are you feeling envious for no apparent

was nothing of the sort. Whitney denied it immediately. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “How many women have sat on my lap? Wouldn’t you know if you tried?” He raised an eyebrow, grasping her wrists, his anger

cheeks burn at his suggestive words. “I’m not sitting on your lap! I told you

since I rescued you today,

so bold. She realized she was

but he pulled her into his arms, inhaling her soft scent. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he said, “You’ve done something wrong, yet

her hands behind her back, Whitney forced to arch her back, and his

said they needed

struggle, kissing her while watching her eyes flicker with fear and resistance, her cheeks flushing further, tempting him to taste

his broad chest, her legs growing weaker, her hands instinctively

to the end of his belt, his voice

voice made Whitney blush furiously; she did not like it! She did not know how things had gotten to

Frustrated, she bit him,

his lips with a frown. “Is that all you’ve got? Turning into

you to

is?” He asked, looking down, his eyes

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