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.

his brow, hesitating. “The video leaked from the Joyful Manor party, should we

was bitter now. “Why bother?”

parties; now she wielded those memories as weapons to

heart.

cruel? My mother’s frail, and yet,

my mother’s brain damage leaves her with

unshed tears. In the presence

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

wife and child. All lies.

slipped from Ludwik as he closed his eyes, his voice icy, “Throw Keegan in jail, no trial, life without parole.

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 shaking, he’s

10-20

Ludwik had been unnervingly calm

should call

out,” Ludwik commanded, too

Parker and Nolan left the room,

that night, two officers entered Whitney’s

awake, groggy

of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may

“Mr. Lippert’s attorney has submitted evidence to the authorities. On the night of Keegan’s kidnapping of Natalie, you were seen

He was sending her

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

“We’ll take your statement here. Please explain everything that happened

her knuckles white, recounted everything without omission.

the officers left, Whitney faltered, barely able to sit

life without parole. He wanted to see

hadn’t been directly responsible for

sentence so