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 we

laugh was bitter now. “Why

Whitney at those very parties; now she wielded those memories as weapons to

heart.

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

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

thought I’d have a warm home, a loving wife and child. All lies.

from Ludwik as he closed his eyes, his voice icy, “Throw Keegan in jail, no trial, life

meant for Whitney to be taken away as well.

he nudged Parker, whispering. “Ludwik’s

10-20

had been unnervingly calm since he slapped Whitney. This

you should

too exhausted to argue.

disobey, and Parker and Nolan left the room, their minds heavy

two

was jolted awake, groggy and

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

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

was sending her to jail; he would never forgive her.

premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could

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

recounted

barely able

sentenced tonight, life without parole.

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

so