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?”

him, he started

silhouette on the couch, his

had been enough to trouble him,

SFO SE Z <

dear…” Natalie led her to the dining table to talk, looking at her closely. “I might be forgetful, but I’m

Mom, it’s

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 often mistreated by his stepmother, going hungry, and locked in

his name, he once stole money for my 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

myself, my illness made his life miserable. But he fought hard, stood his ground, and outshone all

step of the way. My memory

heard whispers about the Lippert family patriarch favoring the younger son, but she had not realized how much Ludwik had suffered.

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,

means necessary to reach his goal, he would not

Natalie smiled reassuringly.

best, and she said he had

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

man, had he truly been so villainous when he started from

herself

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

his lowest, he got through it with honesty.”

in her eyes, “So, Whitney, you

her voice heavy with emotion, “If there’s anyone he truly despises and hates, it’s his brother who took everything from him. Despite my detachment from worldly matters, I’ve heard people praise your

hand gently

tightly. His drunken eyes, clouded with alcohol, seemed to swallow

mumbled in his drunken stupor, “I’m sick; did you know?”

was hoarse, breaking her heart, his features flushed

touched his forehead, which was burning up.

could not stand to see him suffer and urged, “He’s fallen severely ill and refuses to

heavy heart, helping him to the bedroom.