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

Ludwik’s laugh was bitter

she

heart.

eyes briefly shut, “Why can women be so cruel? My mother’s frail, and yet, Whitney pushed her towards renal

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

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

to stop. It’s all Whitney’s fault! New Year’s Eve, Natalie was so full

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

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

for Whitney to

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

10-20

too noticed and took a deep breath. Ludwik had been unnervingly calm since he slapped Whitney. This tranquility was a bad

should call a doctor…”

too exhausted

and Nolan left the room,

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

was jolted awake,

visibly shaken, “Officers, may

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

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

seeing Whitney’s stunned expression, pleaded, “Officers, Whitney is pregnant and at risk of premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could you please consider this in

said, “We’ll take

knuckles white, recounted everything without omission.

the officers left, Whitney faltered, barely able

sentenced tonight, life without parole.

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

sentence so