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.

leaked from the Joyful

was

Whitney at those very parties; now she wielded

heart.

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

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

unshed tears. In the presence of a

Year’s Eve, Natalie was so full of life, laughing

a warm home, a loving wife and child. All

eyes, his voice icy, “Throw Keegan in jail, no trial, life without parole. Hand over the rest of the evidence

clear he meant for Whitney

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

10-20

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

you should

Ludwik commanded, too exhausted

and Parker and Nolan left the room, their minds heavy with concern.

o’clock that night, two officers entered

awake, groggy and confused.

stood protectively in front of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may I

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 you about your involvement in the kidnapping.”

heart skipped a beat. He was sending her to jail; he would

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

a doctor. Returning, he said, “We’ll take your statement here. Please explain everything

her knuckles white, recounted everything without omission.

barely able to sit up straight.

without parole. He wanted to see me.”

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

sentence so