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

obvious?” Ludwik’s laugh was bitter now.

at those very parties; now she wielded those memories

heart.

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

mother’s brain damage leaves her with a life expectancy of three years, at best, in a vegetative

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

away, his heart aching/“Ludwik, you’ve got 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

loving wife and child. All

Keegan in jail, no trial, life without parole. Hand over the rest of the

clear he meant for Whitney

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

10-20

unnervingly calm since he slapped Whitney. This tranquility

maybe you should

Ludwik commanded, too exhausted

Nolan left the room,

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

jolted awake, groggy and confused.

of her, visibly

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 you about

He was sending her to

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

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

knuckles white, recounted everything

officers left, Whitney faltered, barely able to sit

sentenced tonight, life without parole.

been directly responsible for Natalie’s state.

so