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

of hatred, a bond that should not

did not know the fate of this child yet. All she could do was try her hardest to protect it. Her heart was a mess, her anxiety and conflict bringing tears to her

his mood dark, a frown etched between

heart ached for him, but how could she feel otherwise for the man who

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

leather shoes approached, and the man’s cold

feet as Ludwik scooped her up without a second thought

tensed in his arms, the warmth of his presence searing her cold skin, leaving her momentarily stunned.

After walking down

anymore. You

Ludwik had no choice but to set her down gently.

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

froze

had hoped that

not returned to the

phone call, not

2 2 2 1 2 3

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

at the pale–faced young woman

angered him again, but at that moment, she could not bring herself to play a part

to stay and act as an insider,

wanted to

bear it, even if it meant openly standing with her uncle against him, starting the vendetta afresh. Rather than using a sweet knife to wound

off her work, especially the hotel group project.

not use her to

entered the vice president’s office to

swung open, and Felix called out publicly, “Whitney, the president wants you

froze. She was still on the company’s payroll and had no choice but

were already present. Behind the large desk sat a

dared to breathe too loudly, sensing the president’s

of the crowd,

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