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?”

“When you locked yourself in the bathroom with that ring and wouldn’t answer him, he started drinking. He’s been sick since yesterday, you

the couch, his brow

Realty Corporation had been enough to trouble him, but her behavior

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“I might be forgetful, but I’m not blind I see the

Mom, it’s not

was always the golden boy. I was ill, so I couldn’t stand up for him. He was often mistreated by his stepmother, going hungry, and locked

to the police. He was just eight years old when he developed mental issues and was constantly

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Chapter 156

miserable. But he fought hard, stood

watched him struggle every step of the way. My memory may fail me sometimes, but

the Lippert family patriarch favoring the younger son, but she had not realized how

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, your man has integrity. His nobility is in his bones, and

were a man who would use any means necessary to reach his goal, he would not just

Natalie smiled reassuringly.

son best, and she said he had integrity and

advantage of Braxton, willingly giving up a lucrative deal. His principles and restraint had

had he truly been so villainous when

questioned herself silently.

“Mom, in all his years in business, has he ever done

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

in her eyes, “So, Whitney, you can’t give

from him. Despite my

Whitney’s hand gently on the man’s shoulder.

eyes, clouded with alcohol, seemed to

stupor, “I’m sick; did you know?”

voice was hoarse, breaking her heart, his

no longer bear it. She touched his forehead,

to see him suffer and urged, “He’s fallen severely ill and refuses to take his medicine. Please,

heavy heart,