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.

his

a product of hatred, a bond that

try her hardest to protect it. Her heart

mood dark, a frown etched between

could she feel otherwise for the man who had once harmed the Tennyson family in

resolutely and suddenly doubled

expensive leather shoes approached, and the man’s

off her feet as Ludwik scooped her up without

tensed in his arms, the warmth of his presence

After walking down

anymore. You

had no choice but

slightly

hand froze

had hoped that she would come home after their

not returned to the

phone call, not

1 2

him the cold shoulder? Just because he had embraced

He glanced at the pale–faced

that moment, she could not bring herself to play a

fingers trembled. Her uncle wanted her to stay and act as

wanted to leave him!

openly standing with her uncle against

to hand off

not use her

office to hand over her work and submit an extended leave request.

Felix called out publicly, “Whitney, the president wants you to

had no choice but to comply, turning

shareholders and executives were already present. Behind the large desk sat a man whose chilling demeanor seemed

dared to breathe too loudly, sensing the

her place at the back of the crowd, close

unbidden, to a memory from half a month ago when they had dined together, and she had read documents to him with