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?

covering her face as

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

nearly suffocated from the pain. Through her tear–blurred vision, she saw Elaine on the

her uncle’s hatred to weave this intricate web. But

broke at

a vegetable, how much must

it weren’t for her uncle’s kidnapping, none of this would have happened.

kidney failure was no coincidence!

weak and hoarse, “Ludwik, listen to me, please… I didn’t Hurt your mother…

claimed her, and she

blood on the back of Whitney’s white coat, her expression

18.20

shifting slightly.

and Parker exchanged frowns of concern.

Someone pried open her parched lips and forced water

eyes, the harsh white light blinding

months along, and she’s

we’ve only just found

voice? Whitney’s pale hand immediately went

Valerie approached her.

“My baby…

need to rest. The doctor said you’ve had several injuries, Tiana fretted, looking at Whitney with mixed emotions.

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

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

she believed her uncle’s evidence, thinking Ludwik was the enemy. Later, when it was too late, she alone played the

you wouldn’t tell us anything You and your uncle took such a wrong path, and now Ludwik’s mother is a vegetable. Did you really cause it? Nolan

thought of Natalie lying in the hospital forever made Whitney clutch her heart and take deep breaths. She shook her head in denial, “The night my uncle kidnapped Natalie, I went alone to save

scoff, “I suspected as much. Anything involving Elaine is

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

she takes great care of herself. She’s too selfish to donate a

tightly, Valerie had hit the nail on