Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 497

Ludwik's gaze was stiff, almost accusatory. "Who told you all of this?"

"Don't worry about that. Just answer me."

Her stare was unyielding and fierce, those hazel eyes swirling with a depth that seemed to drown him. It gave him the illusion that speaking the truth might lead to her forgiveness, to a reconciliation of sorts.

His throat worked, voice hoarse, as he leaned in closer to her. "Whitney, would it have made any difference? If things were different between us, could there have been a chance for us after all this is over?" Whitney was momentarily speechless, caught in the earnestness of his deep-set eyes. Her heart fluttered into chaos, yet the cold, lingering pain was hard to ignore.

She managed a wry smile. "I want to know the truth because I believe I have the right to. It has nothing to do with you. I never considered getting back together with you-not in a million years!" The hope in his eyes vanished. Her cold rejection silenced any attempts at probing further. His mood chilled to the bone.

He too forced a smile, closing off his heart. "If that's how it is, then my reasons don't matter. Why I was with Florence is none of your business, and you shouldn't meddle in my mother's recovery." He chose silence over disclosure.

Whitney frowned inwardly. Was it as Parker had speculated, that his reasons involved her, hence his silence?

She decided she needed to visit Banyan City.

After bandaging him, Whitney packed away the medical kit and returned it to the room. By the time she came out, Ludwik had already left without a word. Was there some emergency?

The couch was empty, the lingering scent of his blood unique, heavy on her heart. Remembering he hadn't once asked about Sammy made her heart squeeze with sorrow. Finally, she couldn't resist calling Parker. Meanwhile, Ludwik had left to meet Florence after receiving a message from her, insisting on discussing his mother's situation in detail.

was icy as he ordered Parker, "Catch that Lewis guy immediately. Is he the same Drew

Whitney and my evidence, even if we haven't found Sammy with the Sheldons. You're

he didn't say it outright. He instructed Felix

after, Parker

Sammy? He didn't mention Sammy at all! He doesn't trust us, doesn't care

of it doesn't mean he's not thinking about it. How could he not care about his son? Whitney, you need to have some faith in him. He's not confronting Florence outright for a reason. She just asked to meet him; he's going now. After Sammy's incident today, Ludwik won't stay with her. If

this man truly not disappoint her again? Whitney felt anxious and

-

at night, at the

Florence, Parker contacted

I found that Lewis guy, but we're too late-he's dead! We

eyes narrowed. "When did he

in the afternoon," Parker said with a hint of sarcasm. "That was when Whitney was at the

fingerprints. There were adult fingerprints found on a getaway car; I've asked the

tightened. "Funny thing. Lewis's fingers were all smashed; we can't get prints

silent, a chill passing

Sammy into that car. Why else destroy his fingers? His sudden death means we can't confirm if Florence had a Drew around her, or if this guy was him." "Parker, starting now, investigate Florence, everyone around her. Find

Florence entirely if Lewis's death

the hall, the suite door opened, and Florence stood there, frail but