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 bond that should

hardest to protect it. Her heart was a mess, her anxiety and conflict

his mood dark, a

for the man who had once harmed the Tennyson family in the name of his business empire?

her gaze away resolutely and suddenly doubled over with

expensive leather shoes approached, and the man’s cold aura

was lifted off her feet as Ludwik scooped her up without a second thought

arms, the warmth of his presence searing

After walking down

anymore. You can put me down.”

them, Ludwik had no

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

hand froze

had hoped that she would come home after their encounter

returned to the villa.

not a simple thank

2 2 2 1

she planning to give him the cold shoulder? Just because he had embraced Elaine

suppressed rage. He glanced at the pale–faced young woman before striding coldly past her into

but at that moment, she could not bring herself to play a part in their ‘charade.’

her to stay and act as an insider,

wanted to

her uncle against him,

to hand off her work, especially the hotel group project.

her uncle could not use her to harm him.

office to hand over her work and

Felix called out publicly, “Whitney, the president wants you to attend the morning meeting.”

payroll and had no choice but to comply, turning on

already present. Behind the large desk sat a man

one dared to breathe too loudly, sensing the president’s foul

her place at the back of the crowd, close to the visitor’s

wandered, unbidden, to a memory from half a month ago when they had dined together, and she had read documents to him with a mix of shyness and irritation.