Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 527

Tiana guiltily snapped her phone shut, her cheeks burning as she shook her head. "No, no! Let's order another bottle of wine, shall we?"

Whitney, with a teasing glance, declined. "My stomach's not feeling great, no more wine for me. Let's just enjoy the view after dinner and head back."

Sandy, feeling the effects of the alcohol, suggested, "Let's just focus on the food."

It was past nine.

Ludwik was working late at the office when Parker walked in with takeout. "Your ex just had her fancy dinner and is heading home. She didn't drink. Here, have your takeout." Ludwik lifted his gaze, his actions elegant despite the simple meal. "What did they have?"

"French cuisine."

Ludwik, casually rolling up his sleeves, mused, "She'll need something warm tomorrow, to settle her stomach. Tell the chef to prepare something in advance."

Parker was incredulous. "She's just pregnant, not a pig to be fattened."

Ludwik's expression darkened, his concern evident. "If Whitney's unhappy, the baby will be too. I just want her to eat well."

Parker fell silent, contemplating the unresolved issues casting shadows over their happiness. "As soon as we find Sammy, Hudson wakes up, and we handle Florence and her daughter, Whitney will be happy." Parker tried to console him. "Once Natalie has her transplant surgery and we get the spinal cord from Florence, things will get a lot easier."

He remembered something and asked, "Ludwik, has Florence contacted you these past few days?"

meal and stood by the

and dismissive toward

she does next. Have you been

an internist, but he's prescribed asthma medication a few times, which is odd since he's not a pediatrician. I'm looking into whether he has a child with asthma at home..." "Asthma medication?" Ludwik's nerves

had asthma the night

Ryan was treating Florence.

also prescribed pediatric asthma

was in Florence's

couldn't be a

Ryan. Can

records of the prescriptions... You

"Do you suspect Ryan is

helping her control Sammy." Ludwik sat down

and stared at Florence's missed calls, then, uncharacteristically, called her

---

he was at the Lippert Group but lacked the courage to face the Lippert family again and risk rejection. Her engagement, once a source of pride, had become a joke among

from the shareholders was thin.

Florence used Sienna to persuade her grandparents to intervene, hoping to secure Ludwik's presence at a family dinner. The call from Ludwik, unexpected yet eagerly anticipated, offered a glimmer of hope. She pleaded, masking her desperation with concern for their shared commitments

Ludwik, however, remained

noncommittal, his cold indifference