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.

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

it obvious?” Ludwik’s laugh was bitter now. “Why

once shielded Whitney at those very parties; now she

heart.

shut, “Why can women be so cruel? My mother’s frail, and yet, Whitney pushed her towards renal

brain damage leaves her with a life expectancy of three years, at best, in

unshed tears. In the presence of

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

have a warm home, a loving wife and child. All lies. Instead, I harbored a viper, and now

closed his eyes, his voice icy, “Throw Keegan in jail, no trial, life without parole. Hand over the rest of the evidence

Whitney to

sight of Ludwik’s trembling hand. His face paled, and he nudged Parker, whispering. “Ludwik’s

10-20

a deep breath. Ludwik had been unnervingly calm since he slapped Whitney. This tranquility was a bad sign.

maybe you should call

commanded, too exhausted to

Parker and Nolan left the

that night, two

awake,

her, visibly

submitted evidence to the authorities. On the night of Keegan’s kidnapping

He was sending her

Whitney is pregnant and at risk of premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital.

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

recounted everything without omission.

Whitney faltered, barely able

without parole. He wanted

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

sentence so