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 room, "Whitney, what's

Evergreen Manor in a hurry the other day, and her uncle

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

fingers against her brow, trying to steady her emotions. "I'm at work, Uncle. Didn't

mom. I don't know why, but I've been so restless these past few days, can't sleep at

to ask about what

Do you have time?

back to Banyan City. Your grandfather needs to

been away too long,

a candle, give them

Whitney was momentarily stunned.

her uncle a

having those strange dreams about her mom, saying she

She felt uneasy.

appearance of this child, she wouldn't have forgotten. Whitney glanced at the baby, her brow furrowed. The child's treatment

voice unexpectedly called from

to see Ludwik entering, tall and composed, his white shirt crisp and clean, though his face showed signs of fatigue. His striking features were accentuated by high cheekbones and slightly

him, suspecting he'd been there

her conversation

Whitney hadn't prepared herself to face

seemed inevitable between

slightly tense, unsure what expression to

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

mature and handsome, darkened

her phone, he

"Yes."

go back to Banyan City with him?" The

bit suffocated, murmuring, "What's

watching from behind, was nervous at their tense interaction,

was far more challenging than

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

away for nearly a

mean?" Whitney

was strange; Ludwik usually didn't meddle in such trivial

made

tell Whitney the whole story! If she knows everything, she

whole story?"

lifting his gaze to

a secret, I couldn't

be honest, she and Bryce are plotting something big. She's found a key player from Inko Group in Germinia,