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

was bitter now. “Why bother?”

Whitney at those very parties; now she

heart.

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

care, my mother’s brain damage leaves

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

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

a warm home, a loving wife and child. All

in jail, no trial, life without parole.

for Whitney to be taken away

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

10-20

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

you should call

Ludwik commanded, too exhausted

and Nolan left the

two officers entered Whitney’s

was jolted awake, groggy

stood protectively in front of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may I help

has submitted evidence to the authorities. On the night of

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

premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could you please

Returning, he said, “We’ll take

recounted everything without omission.

left, Whitney faltered, barely able to sit up

sentenced tonight, life without parole. He wanted to

make sense. Keegan hadn’t been directly responsible

sentence so soon.