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.

brow, hesitating. “The video leaked from the Joyful Manor

laugh was

now she wielded those memories

heart.

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

care, my mother’s brain damage leaves her

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

turned away, 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

loving wife and child. All lies. Instead, I harbored a

Keegan in jail, no trial, life without parole. Hand over the rest of the evidence to the police and let them arrest

Whitney to be

and he nudged Parker, whispering.

10-20

too noticed and took a deep breath. Ludwik had been unnervingly

should call

out,” Ludwik commanded, too exhausted to

disobey, and Parker and Nolan

two officers entered Whitney’s hospital room.

awake, groggy and confused.

of her, visibly shaken, “Officers, may I

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

sending her to jail; he would

“Officers, Whitney is pregnant and at risk of premature labor. She can’t leave the hospital. Could

consult with a doctor. Returning, he said, “We’ll

knuckles white, recounted everything without omission.

faltered, barely able

life without parole.

directly responsible for Natalie’s state. It couldn’t be a

so soon.