Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 449

In the quaint powder room nestled within the Sheldon family's sprawling estate, not far from the dining hall, Whitney leaned heavily against the ornate vanity, splashing cool water on her face before looking up into the mirror, her eyes tinged with discomfort and the faintest hint of red.

Ding-dong-

A text from Bryce interrupted her solitude, "Whitney, are you okay? I'm just outside."

With a wry smile, Whitney replied, "I just need a moment to myself, Bryce. Why don't you head out to the garden for a smoke..."

Crash!

Her phone plummeted into the sink as a sudden, stormy presence enveloped her from behind, pinning her slender hands against the vanity.

Ludwik, having caught a glimpse of the message, seethed with rage. "Exchanging sweet nothings in the bathroom now, are we?" His voice was a dark, menacing whisper, his breath hot against her ear. "Are you deliberately flaunting your little romance with Bryce in front of me?" Whitney, startled by his sudden appearance, turned pale and whirled around, her gaze darting to the door, which was firmly shut, with Bryce standing just outside.

But how did Ludwik get in?

Then she saw the open window...

man out

indescribable discomfort,

he had the audacity to corner her

parade around with Florence at Sheldon family functions, but I can't have someone?" Whitney retorted, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm also a Sheldon, Ludwik. Who I bring home is none of your business. What right do you have to police me?" Bryce was just pretending to be her fiancé to keep Emma from thinking she was reckless with men, making

today. And why should she

and a terrifying fury. "You think I have no

face fierce as he forced a kiss on her, her lips instantly giving way under the assault. His dark eyes burned with a ferocious anger, as if the very flames could

"You can't do this to me! Let

right, then? Bryce?" Ludwik's fury intensified,

the mention of Bryce, transforming

the scandalous footage that leaked... it's all coming back, isn't it?" he

her silent, his anger only grew, his voice dripping with mockery. "You and him, disgustingly intimate, and you expect me to bless this union? Never. Even if I discard something, it's

her voice barely a whimper, her eyes swimming with tears and fury. "How can you do this to me,

for Bryce over

for enduring all this

justify your actions towards me when you parade around with her?" Whitney's accusation was

her confession of caring for Bryce, and it pierced through him. He never cared for Florence, not like how

terrifying mix of possession and humiliation. "Since you're so fond of him, let's have him hear how you sound