Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 156

Tears streamed down Whitney’s cheeks as she numbly slid the engagement ring onto her ring finger, only to jerk it off as if it burned her skin.

Over and over, she repeated the torturous ritual until her finger bled, but she could not feel the pain; the pain in her heart was much more immense.

“Whitney? A deep, mellow voice called from outside the door, accompanied by a gentle knocking.

Startled, she clasped a trembling hand over her mouth to stifle her sobs.

“Is the baby okay?” He asked with concern.

Biting her lip, Whitney shook her head, remaining silent.

“Why are you locking yourself in there? Is that ring bothering you that much? Are you so against accepting me because of Elaine?” He rested his weight against the door, his heavy frame almost causing it to creak.

Inside, Whitney vigorously shook her head; it was not about Elaine; it was something else entirely.

He sighed, his voice turning cold, a chill that seemed to echo the death of his hope.

After a while, he walked away.

Clutching the ring to her chest, Whitney collapsed against the door. If she told him everything, what would he do to Uncle Keegan?

In the end, he would probably throw her into the abyss alongside him. After all, she had unwittingly been complicit in hurting him twice.

Whitney did not know how long she stayed in the bathroom, staring at her ghostly reflection, her face as pale as a specter.

Natalie knocked on the door, her voice laced with worry, “Whitney, are you still feeling unwell? I’m about to call the family doctor.”

“I’m fine, Mom…” Whitney quickly stood, splashing her face with cold water to reduce the swelling around her eyes before hastily opening the door.

Natalie looked at her daughter–in–law’s swollen belly and lovingly stroked it. “Little baby is being so good.”

Whitney’s gaze flickered to the empty dining table, her voice barely above a whisper, “Did he leave?”

with that ring and wouldn’t answer him, he started drinking. He’s been sick since yesterday,

silhouette on the couch, his brow furrowed

to trouble him, but her behavior

SE Z

looking at her closely. “I might be forgetful, but I’m not blind I see the love you have for him. Are you rejecting his proposal

it’s not that…”

at her son with a pained expression. “You don’t know what he’s been through. He has a half–brother from his father’s side who was always the golden boy. I was ill, so I couldn’t stand up for him. He was

medication and got beaten by the servants publicly, even taken to the police. He was just eight years old when he developed mental issues

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Chapter 156

out, he was different, cald. I blame myself, my illness made his life miserable. But he fought hard, stood his

every step of the way. My memory may fail

her heart; she had heard whispers about the Lippert family patriarch favoring the younger son, but she had not realized

her lost in thought, Natalie patted her hand and said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m telling you this so you can understand why he’s so easily angry. But that’s all in the past, and he’s healthy now. He never let the darkness of his childhood affect his business dealings. Whitney,

a man who would use any means necessary to reach his goal, he would not just be the tycoon he is today but even more powerful.”

Natalie smiled reassuringly.

her son best, and she said he had integrity and was

refused to take advantage of Braxton, willingly giving up a lucrative deal. His principles

noble man, had he truly been so villainous when he started from nothing, seizing the Tennyson family’s

herself silently.

all his years in

Even at his lowest, he got through it with honesty.”

confidently, pride shining in her eyes, “So, Whitney, you

who took everything from him. Despite my detachment from worldly matters, I’ve heard people praise

gently on the

it tightly. His drunken eyes, clouded with alcohol,

drunken stupor, “I’m sick;

was hoarse, breaking her heart, his

it. She touched his

ill and refuses to take

Taryn’s advice with a heavy heart,