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?”

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

silhouette on the couch, his

been enough to trouble him, but her behavior had only added to

SE Z

dear…” Natalie led her to the dining table to talk, looking at her closely. “I might be forgetful, but I’m not blind I

Mom, it’s not

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 often mistreated by his stepmother, going hungry, and locked in the basement.

medication and got beaten by the servants publicly, even taken to the police. He was just eight years old when he developed mental issues and was constantly irritable, and his father had him committed to

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Chapter 156

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

My memory may

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

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

his goal, he would not just

Natalie smiled reassuringly.

aback. Natalie, of course, knew her son best, and she said he had integrity and was not the type to use any means necessary

had refused to take advantage of Braxton, willingly giving up a

villainous when he started from nothing, seizing the Tennyson family’s

herself silently.

in all his years in

at his lowest, he got

“So, Whitney, you

from him. Despite my detachment from worldly matters, I’ve heard people praise your beauty and intelligence. You should stand by

gently on the man’s shoulder.

her touch, Ludwik gripped it tightly. His drunken eyes, clouded with

in his drunken stupor,

breaking her heart, his features

it. She touched his forehead, which was burning up.

to see him suffer and urged, “He’s fallen severely ill and refuses to

advice with a heavy heart, helping him