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.

her cheeks,

over, 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. And if you want, Bryce could be by your

head. “Let’s not talk about feelings. I’ve been hurt enough. I just want to protect my child right now. I’ll focus on giving birth and not dwell on

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 at TriMed, and his mother’s surgery should have had the best resources. But Elaine claimed Natalie’s condition was sudden, and the other doctors were all

eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Guess where those two doctors

family’s medical center

old history. I had to hack into the medical system multiple

flashed with resolve. “Tiana, check how many kidney transplants were scheduled

suggestion, Tiana and Valerie paused, exchanging knowing

widened. “Are you suggesting Elaine might

finish, Whitney nodded, a

a meeting in the afternoon. Tiana and Valerie exchanged winks and discreetly

her eyes at her friends, trying to dispel the awkwardness. “Don’t mind their looks. They’re just

chuckled. “I don’t find it embarrassing at all. In

the subject. “Bryce, if I may

for you?” He kept the mood light, signaling to the nurse to help

answering his question, asking instead, “Where are we

your apartment hunting.

into his Cayenne, noting the understated luxury that matched his demeanor. The watch on his wrist spoke of subtle affluence,

who even in the simplest white shirt seemed to

Ludwik,

dip in her mood, Bryce turned on the radio, deliberately playing

much, but the gesture was thoughtful

receiving a comforting

in front of a serene high-rise apartment