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?”

and wouldn’t answer him, he started drinking. He’s been sick since yesterday, you know. Three bottles of red

silhouette on the couch,

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

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forgetful, but I’m not blind I see the love you have for him. Are you

Mom, it’s not that…”

He has a half–brother from his father’s side who was always the golden boy. I was ill, so I

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

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Chapter 156

illness made his life miserable. But he fought hard, stood his ground, and outshone all the other family members, earning his father’s

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

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

in the past, and he’s

means necessary to reach his goal, he would not just be the tycoon he is today but even

Natalie smiled reassuringly.

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

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

so villainous when he started from nothing, seizing

herself silently.

asked, “Mom, in all his years in business, has he

at his lowest, he got through

“So,

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

gently on the man’s

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

stupor, “I’m

her heart, his features flushed

it. She touched his forehead, which was burning

severely ill and refuses to take his medicine.

advice with a heavy