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.

voice filled the

had left Evergreen Manor in a hurry the other day, and

in her life, she didn't quite know how to explain

to steady her emotions. "I'm at work, Uncle. Didn't sleep well?

frowned, "I keep thinking about your mom. I don't know why, but I've been so restless these past few days, can't sleep

to ask about what we

Do you have time?

to Banyan

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

a candle, give them some peace on

Whitney was momentarily stunned.

her uncle a few

she too had been having those strange dreams about her mom, saying she was

She felt uneasy.

this child, she wouldn't have forgotten. Whitney glanced at the baby, her

deep voice unexpectedly called from the

face showed signs of fatigue. His striking features

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

her conversation

parentage, Whitney hadn't prepared herself

distances seemed inevitable between

were slightly tense, unsure what

mood, Ludwik guessed she wasn't thrilled

mature and

phone, he asked, "Your

"Yes."

Banyan

a bit suffocated, murmuring, "What's it

behind, was nervous at their

was far

he spoke softly, "Whitney, if your uncle wants you

for nearly a year; it's

Whitney

was strange; Ludwik usually didn't meddle in

made

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

story?"

bridge of his nose, lifting his gaze to meet

because of keeping our daughter's existence a secret, I couldn't tell you what Florence has been up to in

are plotting something big. She's found a key