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.

video leaked from the

obvious?” Ludwik’s laugh was

at those very parties; now she wielded those memories as

heart.

My mother’s frail, and

mother’s brain damage leaves her with

glistened with unshed tears. In the presence of a mother, every man is

to stop. It’s all Whitney’s fault! New Year’s Eve, Natalie was so full of life, laughing

wife and child. All

“Throw Keegan in jail, no trial, life without parole. Hand over the rest of the evidence to the police and

Whitney to

face paled, and he nudged Parker, whispering. “Ludwik’s hand is shaking, he’s about to have

10-20

noticed and took a deep breath. Ludwik had been unnervingly calm since he slapped

you should call a

commanded, too

disobey, and Parker and Nolan left the room,

o’clock that night, two officers entered Whitney’s hospital

awake,

visibly

the authorities. On the night of Keegan’s

skipped a beat. He was sending her to

risk of premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could you please consider this in your investigation?”

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

her knuckles white, recounted everything

faltered, barely able to

life without parole.

swift verdict didn’t make sense. Keegan hadn’t been directly responsible for Natalie’s state.

so