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

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

shielded Whitney at those very parties; now she

heart.

briefly shut, “Why can women be so cruel? My mother’s frail, and

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

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

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

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

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

he meant for Whitney to be taken away as

His face paled, and he

10-20

been unnervingly calm since he slapped Whitney. This tranquility

should call a doctor…”

out,” Ludwik commanded, too exhausted

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

o’clock that night, two officers

jolted awake,

protectively in front of her, visibly

to the authorities. On the night of Keegan’s kidnapping

her to jail;

“Officers, Whitney is pregnant and at risk of premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could

out to consult with a doctor. Returning, he said, “We’ll take your statement here. Please explain everything that happened that day.”

recounted everything

Whitney faltered, barely able to

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

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

so