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 going

had left Evergreen Manor in a hurry the other day, and her uncle must have

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

her fingers against her brow, trying to steady her emotions. "I'm

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

to ask about what we talked about last

Do you have time?

me back to Banyan City.

away too long,

give them some peace on

Whitney was momentarily stunned.

she had promised her

had been having those strange dreams about her mom, saying

She felt uneasy.

have forgotten. Whitney glanced at the baby, her brow furrowed. The child's

A deep voice unexpectedly called from the

white shirt crisp and clean, though his face showed signs of fatigue.

him, suspecting he'd been there longer than

her conversation

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

seemed inevitable

cheeks were slightly tense,

she wasn't thrilled to see him, the 'culprit' of

mature and

he asked, "Your

"Yes."

you to go back to Banyan City with him?" The tall man

suffocated, murmuring,

watching from behind, was nervous at their tense

temper was far more challenging than

and tender as he spoke softly, "Whitney, if your uncle wants you

nearly a year;

do you mean?" Whitney raised her bright

meddle in such

gaze made Ludwik

Whitney the whole story! If she knows everything, she will definitely

whole story?" Whitney

lifting his gaze to

keeping our daughter's existence a secret, I couldn't tell

are plotting something big. She's found a