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.

video leaked from the Joyful Manor party, should we keep

Ludwik’s laugh was bitter now. “Why

parties; now she wielded those memories as weapons to

heart.

eyes briefly shut, “Why can women be so cruel? My mother’s frail, and yet,

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

accept that.” His voice was faint, his eyes glistened with unshed tears. In the presence

so full of life, laughing over the phone. She’s clung to life for your

loving wife and child. All lies. Instead,

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

meant for Whitney to be taken away as

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

10-20

Ludwik had been unnervingly calm

maybe you should call a doctor…”

Ludwik commanded, too

to disobey, and Parker and Nolan left the room,

two officers entered Whitney’s hospital room.

awake, groggy and

front of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may

submitted evidence to the authorities. On the night of

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

Whitney is pregnant and at risk of premature labor. She can’t leave the

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

her knuckles white, recounted

the officers left, Whitney faltered, barely able

sentenced tonight, life without parole. He wanted

make sense. Keegan hadn’t been directly

so soon.