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.

for him to look back at her, his gaze hard as he stared at her pitiful expression. “What

“I was so caught up in my vendetta that I neglected how

else?” He eyed

eyes welled up, but she shook her

you’re wrong, admit it; when you’re not, there’s nothing

the man laugh

voice dark with accusation.

stiffened, her gaze turning away. “My phone was

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Chapter 32

He scoffed.

her waist and, before she could react, snatched the

“L! Give that back!”

was intact, and Tiana’s Facebook page was still open, his eyes clouding over. “So you deliberately ignored my calls and messages?

on her toes to reach, but he was too tall and strong. Amid her struggle, his chest began to heave, and he steadied her restless little body, his eyes narrowed and voice husky. “Are you

His eyes narrowed dangerously.

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, and I certainly won’t be one

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

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

suggestive words. “I’m not sitting

since I rescued you today,

bold. She realized she

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

pinned her hands behind her back, Whitney forced

had said

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

legs growing weaker, her hands instinctively clutching at his expensive shirt,

her ‘little cat paws, pressing them to the end of his belt, his voice sultry. “You like this?

made Whitney blush furiously; she did not like it! She did

Frustrated, she bit him,

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

you

you even know what bullying is?” He

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