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 Manor party, should

laugh was bitter now. “Why bother?”

once shielded Whitney at those very parties; now she wielded

heart.

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

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

tears.

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 your sake, knowing

child. All lies. Instead, I harbored a viper,

mirthless chuckle slipped from Ludwik as he closed his eyes, his voice icy, “Throw Keegan in jail, no trial, life without parole. Hand over the rest of the evidence to the police and let

he meant for Whitney to be taken

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

10-20

unnervingly calm since he slapped Whitney.

should call

out,” Ludwik commanded, too exhausted to argue.

Nolan left the room, their minds

two officers entered Whitney’s hospital room.

awake,

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

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

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

risk of premature labor. She can’t

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

knuckles white, recounted everything

officers left, Whitney faltered, barely able to sit

being sentenced tonight, life without parole.

didn’t make sense. Keegan hadn’t been directly responsible for Natalie’s state. It couldn’t

so soon.