Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 168

Ludwik stared at her, his heart perforated and bleeding from the night of the once beloved face that now caused him indescribable pain A pain that might never heal as long as he lived.

Once the heart empties, it hardens, turning cold and unyielding like bedrock, alicing through him with the chill of a bone–piercing wind. “My mother’s been miserable, thanks to you. Tos condemned to suffer for a lifetime You love me? That’s the cheapest, most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard!!

“Oh right,” he growled, capturing her tiny wrists and pinning her against the wall, his grip tightening on her

throat.

He leaned in, his voice a sneer of cold mockery, “Your uncle came for vengeance, thinking I’d killed your grandfather? Let me tell you, the day your mother and grandfather had that car crash, was the one who tried

I to save them, but I failed. There was never anything but normal discord between me and your grandfather. Are you satisfied now?”

Her heart felt pierced by countless swords, all stabbing her at once.

Whitney became rigid as stone.

In the sluggish recesses of her disbelief, only one thought circled: He had tried to save them.

That’s why her uncle saw the mask in the wrecked carl

Why? Why had it come to this?

After she had hurt him, only then did she learn the truth.

He had always been honorable, never a thief or usurper!

Why did fate play such cruel games? The gentlest cut of all was delivered by his hand.

Whitney clutched her chest, nearly fainting from the pain. Everything was lost, all was wrong.

Seeing her pain contorted face, Ludwik’s heart numbed a fraction.

He released her abruptly, hurling her away, his eyes bloodshot like a demon’s, “Get lost! I never want to see you again! There’s nothing left between us but hate.”

Hate?

collapsed at the doorway, her hands covering her face as tears breached

sense the father’s words, moving

her tongue so hard she nearly suffocated from the pain. Through her tear–blurred vision, she saw Elaine on the hospital bed, giving her a cold, faint

uncle’s revenge, Elaine the opportunist, exploiting her uncle’s hatred to weave this intricate web. But she was not innocent.

heart broke at

had become a vegetable, how much must he

it weren’t for her uncle’s kidnapping, none

kidney failure was

knocking, her voice weak and hoarse, “Ludwik, listen to me, please… I didn’t Hurt

darkness claimed her, and she collapsed

Taryn stood aside, noticing the blood on the back of Whitney’s

18.20

shifting slightly.

Parker exchanged frowns of concern.

up like this?” Someone pried open her parched lips and forced

her eyes, the

at risk of preterm labor due to trauma. The baby’s over five months along, and she’s been starving for

only

Tiana’s voice? Whitney’s pale hand immediately went to

Valerie approached her.

“My baby…

been bleeding internally. You need to rest. The doctor said you’ve had several injuries, Tiana fretted,

back to the old family home for New Year’s Eve. It’s only the fourth day of the year, and can’t understand what’s happened L is actually Ludwik, the CEO of Imperial Gem Corporation. And Whitney, how could you and your uncle… were you really seeking revenge for the Tennyson family? You’re so confused, how could you kidnap Natalie? And why didn’t you tell any of us? if we’d known, we would have helped you! You wouldn’t

her head, tears streaking her face, Tm sorry How could I involve you in this?

Later, when it was too late, she alone played the role

No wonder you’ve been in such pain lately, and you wouldn’t tell us anything You and your uncle took such a wrong path, and now

kidnapped Natalie, I went alone to save her, but Elaine ambushed me and took Natalie away. By the time I got to the hospital today, Natalie had become

eyes hardened, and she let out a scoff, “I suspected as much. Anything involving Elaine is never straightforward”

Whitney. Even with a family feud, I can see that Whitney loves Mr.

Elaine, she takes great care of herself. She’s too selfish to donate a kidney lightly. Unless there’s a huge benefit or scheme

eyes tightly, Valerie had hit the nail