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.

hesitating. “The video leaked from

obvious?” Ludwik’s laugh was bitter now.

parties; now she wielded those memories as weapons

heart.

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

say even with the best care, my mother’s brain damage leaves her with a life expectancy

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

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 your

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

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

was clear he meant for Whitney to be taken

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

10-20

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

should call a doctor…”

too exhausted to argue.

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

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

was jolted awake,

front of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may

for Whitney” The officers 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

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

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

said, “We’ll take your statement here. Please explain

recounted everything without

barely able to sit

life without parole. He

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

sentence so