Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 645

"His company, Lutz Group, is now among the top five in Emperor City. Bryce was quite the talk of the town back in Banyan City, even when he was younger. A man like him is rare. And what's even more precious is his devotion to you. He's been through thick and thin with

you. Uncle thinks he's a keeper; you shouldn't let him slip away again."

Uncle's words couldn't have been clearer.

Whitney looked down, embarrassed. It was precisely because Bryce was so good that she found it even harder to face him.

"You should take Bryce upstairs to rest," Keegan suggested, playing matchmaker.

Whitney, silent and hesitant, only moved after her uncle went inside. She then turned to face Bryce.

"Bryce, I'm sorry... Sammy finally came home tonight, and I want to spend some time with my boys."

"Of course, they must have a lot to tell you," Bryce replied with a smile, his face full of understanding. He coughed lightly, "I can sleep in the guest room."

Whitney knew she couldn't keep avoiding the issue. She bit her lip and finally said, "Bryce... Maybe it's time we get the divorce papers sorted." Bryce froze.

His gentle face suddenly turned sour, a flash of coldness in his eyes. "Why? Whitney, are you still not over Ludwik?"

"I'm not."

Whitney chuckled bitterly, frank yet ashamed. "Bryce, I just don't want to lie to you. During my time on the island, things between Ludwik and me were complicated... He constantly pressured me to have his child, thinking that would keep me from leaving him. But I didn't let him succeed. I'm not pregnant.

But I did wrong by you. I don't deserve to be with you anymore. Your family must hate me by now.

Plus, everyone's making fun of you because of me. I think... you deserve someone better. Let's end this."

Bryce, hiding his turmoil behind a glass of water, looked up again with a composed, loving gaze.

you one more time. Was it your choice to be with him like

the island, shook her head in

all I needed to hear." Bryce pulled her closer, speaking softly, "As a husband, should I wish for my wife to fight

your safety and life are what matter most. Really, all

Whitney's heart throbbed, her eyes

we met three years ago, I was fully aware of your situation. I never expected fidelity from you, and you

Bryce continued

afraid you'd come back and despise me for

I understand. I wouldn't have called the police either. It's

underestimated my love for you, thinking I'd reject you. But my love for you

Bryce's voice grew somber, his embrace tightening. "Whitney, sometimes I wonder why fate tests us so. I love you; what's so wrong about that?

three years for you to agree to marry me, only for disaster to strike.

reconsidered her decision to leave him. She had initially agreed to marry him to save Sammy, and now, after causing him so much ridicule, she was thinking of divorce. She owed

leaving him,

let's not scare me with

divorce anymore," Bryce said gently. "And stop overthinking

about I don't

since you've

dealings between Skye Gem Ltd. and the Sheldon Group

and emotionally, she owed it to him to make amends. Plus, his decision

She appreciated Bryce's

understanding, not pressuring her

into

She couldn't bear

being intimate with

after her ordeal with Ludwik, even if

She felt tainted.

-

warmth on his face was replaced by a