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.

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

was bitter now. “Why

those very parties; now she wielded those

heart.

shut, “Why can women be so 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

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

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 how alone

All lies. Instead,

“Throw Keegan in jail, no trial, life without parole. Hand over

was clear he meant for Whitney to be taken

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

10-20

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

maybe you should call a

Ludwik commanded, too exhausted

and Nolan left the

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

jolted awake, groggy and

in front of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may I

looking for Whitney” The officers showed their badges and cut to the chase, “Mr. Lippert’s 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

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 your

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

white, recounted everything without

faltered, barely able to

being sentenced tonight, life without parole.

hadn’t been directly responsible for Natalie’s

so