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.

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

even if we haven't found Sammy with the Sheldons. You're starting to doubt

Whitney, though he didn't say it outright. He instructed Felix to drive him to

Parker

Sammy? He didn't mention

son? Whitney, you need to have some faith in him. He's not confronting Florence outright for a reason.

again? Whitney felt anxious and lost. Was it because of

-

night, at the

meeting Florence, Parker

Lewis guy, but we're too late-he's dead! We can't

"When did he

a hint of sarcasm. "That was when Whitney

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

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

silent, a

certain, Lewis was involved in putting 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

he needed to reevaluate Florence entirely if Lewis's

end of the hall, the suite door opened, and Florence stood there, frail but smiling. "Ludwik,