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.

“The video leaked from the Joyful Manor party, should

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

now she wielded those memories

heart.

be so cruel? My

even with the best care, my mother’s brain damage leaves her with a life expectancy of three years, at best,

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

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

loving wife and child. All

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

clear he meant for Whitney to be

he nudged Parker,

10-20

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

should call

out,” Ludwik commanded, too

dared to disobey, and Parker and Nolan left

eight o’clock that night, two officers

was jolted awake, groggy and

in front of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may I help

showed their 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 seen getting into his assistant’s car. We need to question

He was sending her to jail; he would never forgive

premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could you please consider this in

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

recounted everything without omission.

barely able to sit up

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

directly responsible for Natalie’s state. It couldn’t be a

sentence so