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.

the message as

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 not

her fingers clutched with resentment. “What? A family

to be

Elaine as she gritted her teeth. She had not even returned

New Year’s Eve with Ludwik. Yet, Natalie was way too protective over Whitney, which

picture, Elaine was almost certain she would not be able to achieve her goal. Her eyes narrowed

snapped. “Even if they’re having their so–called reunion, it will be their

close to dawn, Ludwik finally opened his eyes, still feverish and dizzy from the alcohol. His throat felt scorched, but he caught sight of the soft figure slumped

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

at

pale face was etched with exhaustion. As she met his gaze, he saw a flicker of complex

too weak,” Whitney advised in a

voice was even more hoarse,

dropped to the snowy dawn

the raw vulnerability of the

she spoke, “Take your

weak even to lift his arm.

a fever. You need to rest, or even walking will be

“What about the five–star hotel project? The investors are bound to make a

other companies. I’ll reallocate funds

mention Imperial Gem Corporation, his other global enterprise,

had no idea Whitney already knew who he

her hand, “The real issue is, you want to leave me. Don’t, Whitney.

ring

bowed/tears streaming, she instead grasped his

She sobbed softly, showing him the diamond ring on

eyes widened in surprise, then softened into a smile.

with his. “I’ll try again. To stay by your side. I

said his real name

his eyes for a restful

we’ll face it together,” she whispered, injecting him

He needed rest.

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It was time to confront her