Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 169

In Natalie’s hospital

Elaine had been moved to the adjacent intensive care unit. Ludwik had hired the best private nurse for her.

The man himself, Ludwik, sat alone by his mother’s bedside, a silent sentinel for over four hours.

No one knew what turmoil churned behind his stoic facade.

As dusk enveloped the city, Parker and Nolan strode into the sterile room.

Ludwik looked up, his eyes weary as he extended a hand.

Parker approached, “I got the surveillance footage from the coastal villa and the intersection where Keegan snatched Natalie”

Ludwik, clinging to a shred of sanity, needed to see the damning evidence of Whitney’s betrayal, even after he had expelled her from his life

But reality was a cruel mistress. The villa’s nearby camera had captured Whitney being rescued by Keegan’s assistant and whisked away into the night.

And just a half–hour before, Keegan had kidnapped Natalie from the roadside.

After viewing both pieces of footage, a tired, hollow laugh escaped Ludwik. He waved them off, “Call Taryn in

here.”

When Taryn entered, Ludwik’s voice was low; “Did you hear the entire call Keegan made to my mother that day? What did he say?”

Taryn recounted with painful accuracy, “Keegan baited her with Whitney… said her child was at risk of miscarriage, refusing treatment. Natalie, worried for her grandchild and unable to reach you, hastily left the villa with me and a driver, only to walk into a trap.”

Why had he been unreachable? He’d been detained at the police station.

hesitating. “The video leaked from the Joyful Manor party,

Ludwik’s laugh was bitter now.

Whitney at those very parties; now she wielded those

heart.

can women be so cruel? My mother’s frail,

even with the best care, my mother’s brain damage leaves her

voice was faint, his eyes glistened with unshed tears. In the presence of a mother, every man is but

fault! New Year’s Eve, Natalie was so full of life, laughing over the phone. She’s clung to life

loving wife and child. All lies. Instead, I harbored

no trial, life without parole. Hand over the rest of the evidence to the police and let them arrest whoever they need to.”

he meant for Whitney

he nudged Parker, whispering. “Ludwik’s hand is shaking, he’s

10-20

breath. Ludwik had been unnervingly calm since he

should

out,” Ludwik commanded, too

and Parker and Nolan left the room, their minds heavy

eight o’clock that night, two

awake, groggy

stood protectively in front of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may I

to the chase, “Mr. Lippert’s attorney has submitted evidence to the authorities. On the night of Keegan’s kidnapping of Natalie, you were seen getting into his assistant’s car. We need to

was sending her to

Whitney’s stunned expression, pleaded, “Officers, Whitney is pregnant and at risk of premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could you please consider

doctor. Returning, he said, “We’ll take your statement here. Please explain

white, recounted everything without

left, Whitney faltered, barely able

parole. He wanted to

hadn’t been directly responsible for Natalie’s state. It couldn’t

so soon.