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.

from the Joyful Manor party,

Ludwik’s laugh was

very parties; now she wielded those memories as weapons to tear at

heart.

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

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

was faint, his eyes glistened with unshed tears. In

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 how alone

a loving wife and child. All

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

meant for Whitney to

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

10-20

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

you should call a

out,” Ludwik commanded, too exhausted to argue.

dared to disobey, and Parker and Nolan left

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

awake, groggy

of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may I help

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

was sending her to jail; he

of premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could you please consider this in

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

recounted everything without

barely able to sit up straight.

tonight, life without parole. He wanted to

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

so soon.