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 drinking. He’s been sick since yesterday, you know. Three bottles of red wine

on the couch, his brow furrowed

enough to trouble him, but her behavior

SFO SE Z <

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

Mom, it’s not that…”

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

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

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Chapter 156

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

every step of the way. My memory may fail me sometimes, but I vividly remember

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

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 he’s worthy of

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.

he had integrity and was not the type to

willingly giving up a lucrative

villainous when he started from nothing, seizing the Tennyson

questioned herself

his years in

lowest, he got through it with honesty.”

eyes, “So, Whitney,

led Whitney to the sofa, 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

Whitney’s hand gently on the

touch, Ludwik gripped it tightly. His drunken eyes, clouded with alcohol, seemed to swallow her

drunken stupor,

heart, his features flushed with

could no longer bear it. She touched his forehead, which

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

with a heavy heart, helping him to the bedroom.