Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 157

Her heart shattered like a delicate wine glass dropped on a stone floor, and she could barely muster the strength to keep her trembling fingers still.

He cradled the back of her head, wishing he could merge her into his very being. If it were not for the child they were expecting, he would have pinned her down and never let go.

Whitney felt the storm raging within him, and her tears cascaded down her cheeks, glistening like pearls, tapping softly against his skin.

Her small hands clenched into fists against his chest and neck, only to unfurl, powerlessly relaxing.

Eyes closed, she mourned silently, “Mom, Grandpa, forgive me for this betrayal, this shame. It’s the last time, I swear. Maybe… Maybe it’s all a mistake? Maybe it’s not him?”

Soon, the fever and the drunken haze pulled him into the void, and his lips loosened.

Whitney slumped next to the bed, her mind a whirlwind. She hastily rummaged through her bag and pulled out her grandfather’s contact book.

Skimming through it desperately, she stumbled upon a torn page with a single name: Bartels.

Bartels?

The following pages were all missing.

If her grandpa had not torn them out, then who did, and why were the pages with Ludwik’s name still intact?

A memory flashed in her mind of her uncle mentioning that before coming to Banyan City, her Grandpa had been pushed out of the medical field by unscrupulous competition.

The only Bartels she knew was Elaine, and the Bartels were a dynasty in the medical field of Emperor City!

Could it be a coincidence? Was it the Bartels who forced her Grandpa to leave, leading him to Banyan City?

As her head spun with these thoughts, Whitney suddenly considered that maybe the name Ludwik in the address book was a red herring.

She looked up at the feverish man before her, her heart pounding on hot coals. “Ludwik, it wasn’t you, was it?” She whispered hoarsely, clutching the ring in her hand as everything began to heat up.

Downstairs, Natalie was relieved to see Whitney had not come down. But as dizziness took hold of her, Taryn suggested they call the family doctor to stay with her.

Just then, the house phone rang. Taryn answered it and hesitated before speaking, “Ms. Natalie, it’s Ms. Elaine. She wants to visit for New Year’s Eve. Shall I invite her?”

Natalie frowned, the thought of that girl sending shivers down her spine, and fear bloomed within her.

Ludwik and Whitney upstairs, she shook her head. “Decline her. Tell her we’re having a family

relayed the message as asked.

fell when her assistant relayed Taryn’s words. She had planned to use this New Year’s Eve to get closer to Ludwik, especially since Whitney would

said, her fingers clutched with resentment. “What? A family reunion? No way Ludwik

to be Natalie.

her teeth. She had not

to take this opportunity to celebrate New Year’s Eve with Ludwik. Yet, Natalie was way too protective

was almost certain she would not be able to achieve her goal. Her eyes narrowed with malicious

if they’re having their so–called reunion, it will be their last.” She snickered as if

His throat felt scorched, but he caught sight of the soft

their child growing inside her, Ludwik’s brows furrowed with concern. He reached

woke at his touch.

he saw a flicker of complex emotions,

Whitney advised in

been crying?” His voice was even

the snowy dawn breaking outside

mingling with the raw vulnerability of the past

quivered as she spoke, “Take your medicine.”

too weak even to

fever. You need to rest, or even walking will be a problem. Don’t rush back to

five–star hotel project? The investors are bound to make a fuss. What’s your plan?”

lay still, his face flushed with fever. “It’s manageable. I have other companies. I’ll reallocate funds to

other global enterprise, which was

no idea Whitney already

for her hand, “The real issue is, you want

the ring

streaming, she instead grasped his

you. Look.” She sobbed softly, showing him the diamond ring on her

in surprise, then softened

fingers with his. “I’ll try again. To stay by your side. I love you,

his real name in her

his eyes for

face it together,” she whispered, injecting him with a sedative.

He needed rest.

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asleep, taking the contact book from her bag. It was time to confront her uncle to prove that Ludwik might not be