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

it obvious?” Ludwik’s laugh was bitter

very parties; now she

heart.

be so cruel? My mother’s frail, and yet, Whitney

with the best care, my mother’s brain damage leaves her with a life expectancy of

glistened with unshed tears. In the presence of a mother, every man is but

It’s all Whitney’s fault! New Year’s Eve, Natalie was so full of

I’d have a warm home, a loving wife and child. All lies. Instead, I harbored a viper, and now

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

clear he meant for Whitney to be taken away as

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

10-20

deep breath. Ludwik had been unnervingly calm

you should call a doctor…”

out,” Ludwik commanded, too exhausted to argue.

one dared to disobey, and Parker and Nolan left

eight o’clock that night, two officers entered

awake, groggy and confused.

front of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may I help you?”

authorities. On the night of Keegan’s kidnapping of Natalie, you were seen getting into his assistant’s car. We need to question you

her to jail;

“Officers, Whitney is pregnant and at risk of premature labor. She

“We’ll take your statement here.

her knuckles white, recounted everything

barely able to sit up

life without parole. He wanted to see me.”

Keegan hadn’t been directly responsible

so