Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 216

Tiana closed the room door as Valerie sat at the bedside, handing a glass of water to Whitney.

Turning around, Tiana couldn’t help but vent her thoughts. “You know, I used to think Ludwik was the epitome of charm. But now? Bryce, he’s like the George Clooney of men – mature, suave, and just as alluring. Sure, he may not have the old-money background or the clout Ludwik has, but he’s not far off.

It’s like choosing between ice and fire. If it were up to me, I’d go for the one who knows how to treat a lady right, and that’s Bryce all the way.”

She finished with a sly glance at Whitney.

Valerie saw Whitney’s distant gaze and nudged Tiana, whispering with a sigh, “After what Whitney’s just been through, you know as well as I do, the last thing on her mind is another

man.”

“But she’s a catch, isn’t she? Simon, Ludwik, Bryce… Apart from Simon, which one of them isn’t. a one-in-a-million guy? Whitney is a knockout.”

Whitney managed a small smirk at Tiana’s teasing.

Delighted, Tiana patted her shoulder. “Look at yourself, Whitney. Ludwik has turned you into a shadow of yourself. If you ask me, he’s no better than a manipulative jerk, not the only one suffering, and yet he believes every word from that bitch, time and again misunderstanding you. Let him stew in his own mess.

Now he’s set to get hitched to Elaine in four days, and you’re supposed to be getting engaged to Bryce the day after. Time to move on and stop pining over him. He wasn’t even there for his own child.”

Tiana trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

Whitney’s heart skipped a beat, still haunted by the recent events. Shaking her head, she muttered, “Maybe there’s no future for us. Ever since Natalie’s accident, it’s been one long explanation after another. He wouldn’t listen and wouldn’t believe. I’m tired. I almost lost my child. I’m scared now. It’s time to let go of him.”

Though the pain lingered, voicing her thoughts seemed to bring relief.

from her cheeks,

tenderly stroking her hair. “Whether you let go or not, you can fool others but yourself. Whitney, you still have your child to stay with you.

I’ll focus on giving birth and not dwell on anything else. Don’t worry, I’m not knocked down yet. There’s so much more for me to do. Oh, Tiana, any updates about that investigation into Elaine’s

tell you,” Tiana began, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I found out that on the day of Natalie and Elaine’s surgeries, two doctors were on call, neither the top experts from TriMed Hospital’s renal department. Ludwik is a major investor

narrowed with suspicion. “Guess where those two

immediately. “The Bartels family’s medical

of their resume vanished, and it’s old history. I had

a deep breath, Whitney’s eyes flashed with resolve. “Tiana, check how many kidney transplants were scheduled that day, especially during the same time

and Valerie paused, exchanging

widened. “Are you suggesting Elaine

nodded, a silent understanding between them.

swiftly from a meeting in the afternoon. Tiana and Valerie exchanged winks

the awkwardness. “Don’t mind their looks. They’re

don’t find it embarrassing at all. In

the subject. “Bryce, if I may be so bold, how old

a bit too old for you?” He kept the mood light, signaling to the nurse to help Whitney out

his question, asking instead, “Where are we

help your apartment hunting.

that matched his demeanor. The watch on his wrist spoke of subtle affluence, and

the simplest white shirt seemed to radiate an imposing

thoughts of Ludwik, Whitney felt a tinge of

her mood, Bryce turned on the radio, deliberately playing a light-hearted

much, but the gesture was thoughtful and

him, receiving a comforting

car came to a stop in front of a serene high-rise