Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 396

health checks?"

The faint bluish tinge of the needle mark on Natalie's back suggested recent injections, a detail that puzzled Whitney. Furrowing her brow, she snapped a photo with her smartphone and gently inquired, "Natalie, have you been feeling any different lately? Had any major "I'm fine," Natalie responded, slightly taken aback but smiling. "Though, I did have quite a few tests done today..."

Outside the room, Ludwik's expression shifted upon hearing Whitney's questioning, calling out, "Whitney!"

Whitney turned to see Ludwik approaching with a frown, seemingly displeased by her intrusion into the hospital room. She paused, her lips parting slightly.

She had come at Tiana's behest, hearing that Natalie might be in trouble and wanted to see for herself.

But Ludwik's wary look made Whitney hold back further questions.

"Could you step outside for a moment?" Ludwik asked, his voice low.

Stepping out, Whitney faced Ludwik, her cheeks flushed from a slight fever, her gaze somewhat weary.

Ludwik stepped closer, touching her forehead with a tenderness that belied his concern. "You're ill yourself; why come visit your mother?"

drip, I just came along," Whitney replied, turning her

fell as he asked, "What were

"You're still wary about me

him off, showing him the photo of Natalie's back. "I found this needle mark on Natalie. Has she been having spinal issues, needing injections or spinal taps? It doesn't seem related to her current condition." Ludwik, taken aback by the image, hadn't been aware of any recent procedures on his mother's spine. But the mention of spinal concerns hit a

ask him later," Ludwik deflected. "You shouldn't worry about it. Her treatment is primarily in the hands of Western medicine specialists now." Whitney, sensing his underlying message of keeping her out of it, replied with a hint of resignation, "I get it. I won't interfere anymore. I'm leaving, and Danny wants to come back to

ride home was briskly refused, the tension between them palpable as Danny watched,

to reach out, "Whitney,

say? Your caution is understandable," Whitney retorted, her

approached with an elderly man in a formal suit, introducing him as Jason's aide from Emperor City, there to visit Natalie on

with Danny, her heart heavy with misunderstood intentions and unspoken

Natalie's room, the conversation turned to family secrets and past grievances, revealing a tapestry of sacrifice, hidden love, and the complex ties binding them to Jason and the Lippert family. Ludwik's resolve to protect his mother from the harsh truth of her illness clashed with his

years, Jason discovered

weary eyes. "Son, I've lived under Kaden's cold shoulder, dragging you down with me, depriving you of fatherly

powerful, you'll naturally be able to protect me, Whitney, and the kids. Leaving Banyan

clenched her fists, and

of indignity, it was time for him to redeem

her illness, perhaps moving back to Emperor City was