Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 471

Separated by just a wall, the chill wind made Ludwik tighten his jacket as he sighed, his long strides taking him into the elevator.

Inside the house, Whitney leaned against the door, her hand covering her eyes as if to shield herself from the emotional storm within. Anger nearly choked her breath.

Their discussion had been about Sammy, but a single call from Florence and Ludwik was ready to dash to her side, breaking any resolve he had.

What was it about that woman that so captivated him?

Sammy's well-being had been brushed aside so hastily.

Whitney's gaze faltered, drifting unfocused to her phone as a new notification pinged. Opening Twitter, she wasn't surprised to find Florence's post from a minute ago: "His whereabouts during the day don't matter; every night he returns to snuggle beside me Mr. Lippert, my love."

Whitney scoffed; the message was clearly a jab at her.

Yet her eyes still burned, misty with the harsh truth that, time and again, Florence was prioritized over his own son. That was the reality!

Foolish Whitney... those wandering emotions of yours only highlight your naivety. Stop letting him play you... Tossing the phone aside, she took a deep breath, steadying her emotions before heading to Danny's room, hoping to offer some solace.

The little guy was bundled up in bed, his face the only thing colder than ice, but otherwise, he seemed okay.

"Mommy always said, don't let him ruin your mood. Daddy is Daddy, and you are you," Whitney said softly, caressing his head.

"Let's forget about that jerk. He's gone. Mommy, I wanted to tell you about something I saw at the Sheldons' place."

did you see?" her son

went to confront her today, but she had gone to work. I snooped around, almost made it into her bedroom, but Emma caught me. Mommy... there's something eerie about Florence. I saw all these weird potion bottles, and then, there were books on hypnotism!" "Hypnotism?" Whitney frowned. The bottles could be explained away by health reasons, but hypnotism? Was Florence dabbling in something sinister behind the

read it; I was kicked out before I could. Then I sneaked around to the

rundown cottage on the Sheldon estate that Hudson mentioned was used for storage. At the far end of the Sheldon Mansion, neglected for years, "That

reminding me of the connection I have with Sammy. But I got dragged away by Molly before I could investigate

save the

"I didn't, why?"

to match the embroidery on

pattern on the fabric, I think I saw it at the Sheldon family's

breath hitched. The embroidery seemed unique, not like

a bit confused. "Maybe I didn't see it clearly. Let's find out where that flower comes from, if it's rare. I'll

three-year-old son's imagination was running wild. But if the uncommon flower, intricately embroidered on a piece of fabric, was indeed planted at the Sheldon Mansion, could Sammy's disappearance be linked to

at him-a theory formed in her mind. But without evidence, it was

dad for the

down, "Mommy, let's sleep. Hopefully, Sammy is

eyes welled up as she kissed his forehead, "You're amazing, Danny. Sammy would be proud

"Mommy, are you asleep?"

darkness, Danny's muffled voice

""What is it?"

he's being blackmailed by

feeling a bitter cold mix with sorrow. Her son still didn't want to see Ludwik in a bad

mistresses. They're usually thrilled. But Ludwik seems miserable. He hasn't laughed in a long time... except when he's with grandma and you. Earlier, when he saw us eating, I noticed a smile, hidden

smiled bitterly. Her son was too innocent