Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 147

Whitney did not respond to him; instead, her heart ached with pity at the sight of her feeble uncle. She pulled out an acupuncture kit and said, “Uncle, I’ve learned some acupuncture from Mom. I can’t do much about scar tissue, but I can try to ease your phantom limb pain with some acupuncture. Shall I give it a try?”

Keegan, massaging his right leg, grimaced and nodded his consent.

To their amazement, the treatment seemed to work wonders. Keegan looked at her with a melancholy smile. “Your mom was a whiz with healing. She didn’t teach you all her secrets, but what you’ve got is pretty darn good. If only she were still here.”

Whitney’s expression froze. Every word from her uncle was a reminder of his hatred.

The next day, Whitney stepped into the towering United Realty Corporation building.

Sleep had eluded her, and it showed on her pale face.

She happened to arrive during the morning rush, and the elevator was crowded. Maybe it was the stifling space or her recent emotional turmoil, but when she exited the elevator, the little life inside her stirred more violently

than usual.

Whitney had been feeling the baby’s movements frequently lately, but it was more painful this time.

She had no choice but to stop, leaning against the wall, slightly bending over, her delicate hand caressing her belly to soothe the little one inside.

While taking deep breaths and gently patting her belly, she suddenly felt a piercing gaze sweeping over her.

She stiffened and turned her head, her eyes locking with those of a man filled with emotion.

His gaze was like a net, entangling her.

Then, as if laden with a thousand sentiments, his eyes focused on her belly.

Whitney looked up at his deep–set features, his jawline handsome even beneath the mask, and she felt his gaze searing her skin.

A deep, aching emotion welled up inside her, a maelstrom of feelings, yet she remained silent.

He was looking at her belly. As a father who was absent for a couple of weeks, he must be missing the child.

was his child.

of hatred, a

All she could do was try her hardest to protect it. Her heart was a mess, her

too, his mood

for the man who had once harmed the

away resolutely and suddenly doubled over with a sharp pain in her belly.

sound of expensive leather shoes approached, and

her feet as Ludwik scooped her up without

his arms, the warmth of his presence searing her cold

After walking down

anymore. You can put me down.”

on them, Ludwik had no choice but to set her down gently.

hand hesitated as it reached toward her slightly rounded belly, but Whitney dodged his

hand froze in mid–air.

heart filled with irritation. He had hoped that she would come home after their encounter at the café

not returned to the villa.

even a phone call, not a simple thank you!

2 2 2 1

was she planning to give him the cold shoulder? Just because he had embraced Elaine at the hospital, she could not

suppressed rage. He glanced at the pale–faced young woman before

moment, she could not bring herself to play a part in their

stay and act as

to

could not bear it, even if it meant openly standing with her uncle against him, starting the vendetta afresh. Rather than using

today to hand off

uncle could not use her to harm

Whitney entered the vice president’s office to hand over

office door swung open, and Felix called out publicly, “Whitney,

no choice but to comply, turning on her heel to enter the president’s

office, several shareholders and executives were already present. Behind the large desk sat a man whose chilling demeanor seemed to permeate the

to breathe too loudly, sensing the president’s foul

her place at the back of the crowd, close to the

had dined together, and she had