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?”

head, gesturing towards 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

slumped silhouette on the couch,

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

SE

might be forgetful, but I’m not blind I see the love you have for him. Are you rejecting his proposal because

Mom, it’s not

the golden boy. I was ill,

by the servants publicly, even taken to the police. He was just eight years old when

1/3

Chapter 156

myself, my illness made his life miserable. But he

memory may fail me sometimes,

about the Lippert family patriarch favoring

that’s all in 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

a man who would use any means necessary to reach his goal,

Natalie smiled reassuringly.

best, and she said he had

willingly giving up a lucrative

uniquely noble man, had he truly been so villainous when he started from nothing,

questioned herself silently.

years in business, has he ever done anything reprehensible?”

his lowest, he got

shining in her eyes, “So, Whitney, you can’t give up

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

hand gently on

gripped it tightly. His drunken eyes, clouded with

stupor, “I’m sick; did you know?”

her heart, his features flushed with

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

could not stand to see him suffer and urged, “He’s fallen severely ill and refuses to take his medicine. Please, Madam, tell

followed Taryn’s advice with a heavy heart, helping him to the