Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1084

"I get it, Tiana. You stay in Banyan City and help Valerie out, alright?

And remember, you're still expecting, so take care of yourself, okay? Your health's important.

Parker's been hanging around with Ludwik, so he can't be there to look after you either..."

Tiana nodded, "Yeah, with Parker and Ludwik around, I feel a bit more at ease with you being in Emperor City.

Parker mentioned that Florence and Bryce might be trying to make a comeback?

Whitney, now's not the time for you and Ludwik to be at odds. Deal with those two troublemakers first, then sort out your differences. Just hang in there!"

Whitney raised an eyebrow slightly at Tiana's fervent advice but didn't want to worry her. "I know what I'm doing," she replied.

"That's good. Remember, you're a mom now. If life gives you a daughter, that's a blessing. If there's any awkwardness, you'll grow closer as you raise her. Kids have a way of bringing people together."

"I know..." Whitney said softly, her fingers grazing the incubator, feeling its cool surface.

After a few more words, she hung up with Tiana, her eyes lingering on the phone until it buzzed again.

An unexpected call from her uncle?

Whitney stood, turning away to answer.

In the next room, Ludwik had overheard her conversation with Tiana. His expression was dark, mixed with a flicker of understanding and a trace of relief. He was moved by her struggles and the depth of her commitment. She had stayed up all night with their daughter, working on treatment plans...

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he exchanged a glance with Parker as he was about to enter the room.

But then Whitney's voice reached him on another call, "Uncle? Why are you calling so early?"

Keegan?

Ludwik paused, thoughts racing, deciding to linger outside and listen.

He motioned to Parker, who crouched down, trying to eavesdrop unobtrusively. "Ludwik, why are you eavesdropping on her call?" Parker whispered.

"Quiet," Ludwik replied sternly.

Parker fell silent.

Whitney was oblivious to the presence outside.

She tidied up the couch, her phone on speaker.

filled the room,

hurry the

baby in her life, she didn't

emotions. "I'm at work, Uncle. Didn't sleep well? You sound a bit

I don't know why, but I've been so

what

Do you have time?

with me back to Banyan City. Your grandfather needs to be

maybe we've been away too long, and both he

light a candle, give

Whitney was momentarily stunned.

she had promised her

had been having those strange

She felt uneasy.

baby, her brow furrowed. The child's treatment was the priority right now,

A deep voice unexpectedly

composed, his white shirt crisp and clean, though his face showed signs of fatigue. His striking features were accentuated by high cheekbones and slightly dry lips, giving

flicked over him, suspecting he'd been there longer than

her conversation

of their daughter's parentage, Whitney hadn't prepared herself

seemed inevitable between

slightly tense, unsure what expression to

mood, Ludwik guessed she wasn't thrilled to see him, the

and handsome, darkened

at her phone, he asked, "Your uncle

"Yes."

back to Banyan

felt a bit suffocated, murmuring,

at their tense interaction, feeling for

far more challenging

"Whitney, if your uncle wants you to go, you should. Pay your respects to your

for nearly a year; it's

do you mean?" Whitney raised her

strange; Ludwik usually didn't meddle in such trivial matters, making his

made

to clarify, stepped forward, "Ludwik, tell Whitney the whole story! If she knows everything, she will definitely

story?"

of his nose, lifting his gaze to meet hers, "Whitney, there are things

of keeping our daughter's existence a secret, I couldn't tell you what Florence

big. She's found a key player from Inko Group in Germinia, possibly even the