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?

hands covering her face

her seemed to sense the father’s words, moving desperately in distress.

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 smile.

perfect trap. Her uncle’s revenge, Elaine the opportunist, exploiting her uncle’s hatred to weave this intricate web.

at the thought.

vegetable, how

her uncle’s kidnapping, none of this

– Natalie’s kidney failure was no coincidence!

doorway, desperately knocking, her voice weak

thud, darkness claimed her, and she collapsed to

blood on the back of

18.20

shifting slightly.

Parker exchanged frowns

this?” Someone pried open her parched lips and forced water

eyes, the harsh white light blinding

months along, and she’s been starving for three to four days. If she doesn’t rest, both will be in danger the doctor stated solemnly

doctor, we’ve only just

hand

Valerie approached her.

“My baby…

The doctor said you’ve had several injuries, Tiana fretted, looking at

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 be in this situation

streaking her face, Tm sorry How could I involve you in this? It’s not

late, she

such a wrong

and take deep breaths. She shook her head in denial, “The night my uncle kidnapped Natalie, I went alone to save her, but Elaine ambushed me and took Natalie away. By the time I got to

out a scoff, “I suspected as much.

Nolan’s word for it. We should side with Whitney. Even with a family feud, I can see that Whitney loves Mr. Lippert. She

too selfish to donate a kidney lightly. Unless there’s

had hit the nail