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.

leaked from the Joyful Manor party, should

obvious?” Ludwik’s laugh was bitter now.

now she

heart.

so cruel? My mother’s frail, and yet, Whitney pushed her

brain damage leaves her with a life expectancy of three years, at best, in a vegetative state.”

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

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 your sake, knowing

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

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

for Whitney to be taken

caught sight of Ludwik’s trembling hand. His face paled, and he

10-20

breath. Ludwik had been unnervingly calm since he slapped Whitney.

maybe you should

Ludwik commanded, too exhausted

one dared to disobey, and Parker and Nolan left the room, their minds heavy with concern.

two officers

awake,

her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may I help you?”

badges and cut to the chase, “Mr. Lippert’s attorney has submitted evidence to the authorities. On the night of Keegan’s kidnapping of Natalie, you were

sending her

is pregnant and at risk of premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could you please consider

stepped out to consult with a doctor. Returning, he said, “We’ll take

knuckles white, recounted everything without

faltered, barely able to sit up straight.

tonight, life without parole. He wanted to see me.”

swift verdict didn’t make sense. Keegan hadn’t been directly

sentence so soon.