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?”

the living room. “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 know. Three bottles of red wine in, and now

on the couch, his brow furrowed in

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 not blind I see the love you have for

it’s not

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

publicly, even taken to the police. He was just eight

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Chapter 156

cald. I blame myself, my illness made his life miserable. But

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

twinge in her heart; she had heard whispers about the Lippert family patriarch favoring the younger son, but

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,

were a man who would use any means necessary to reach his goal, he would not just be the tycoon he is today but even more

Natalie smiled reassuringly.

Natalie, of course, knew her son best, and she said he had integrity and was not

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

he truly been so villainous when he started from nothing,

questioned herself silently.

nerves taut, she asked, “Mom, in all his years in business, has he

lowest, he got through it with honesty.”

“So, Whitney, you can’t give up on

“If there’s anyone he truly despises and hates, it’s his brother who took everything from him. Despite my detachment from

placed Whitney’s hand gently

drunken eyes, clouded with alcohol, seemed to swallow her whole.

stupor,

was hoarse, breaking her heart, his features flushed

touched his forehead,

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

heavy heart, helping him to