Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1177

"What are you talking about? Are we just supposed to stand around after hearing the news and let him bleed out right here? He's in critical condition!" Whitney shot Parker a glare.

With a reluctant sigh, Parker started wheeling the hospital bed out of the room.

"Whitney." Parisa's voice trembled, not wanting her daughter to go. They'd only just found each other-so much left unsaid, and Parisa was desperate to step into the role of mom, hoping Whitney would let her.

"Honey, if you're not in a hurry... would you stay with me a little longer?"

Whitney had no plans to leave either. She grinned, leaning in toward her mother. "Even if you tried to kick me out, I'd refuse to go."

For a moment, she hesitated. Her nose stung, and her voice grew small and vulnerable. “Mom, all these years, I thought about you a lot. I really did. But I always believed you were gone, so I only let myself remember you in secret- especially when things got tough."

"Oh, sweetheart..." Parisa's eyes softened with a deep, aching sorrow. "It's my fault, baby, I've forgotten so many people, so many things."

Erik, ever the gentleman, quietly closed the door behind them, cutting off Ludwik's line of sight.

But Ludwik lingered just outside, unable to let go. "Maybe I should just wait right here. What if she doesn't come back to my place after this?"

"Seriously? The once all-powerful heir to the Harmonia Country fortune is this insecure? If she doesn't come back, just order her. Oh wait, right-she's busy bonding with

voice was cold as ice, his glare razor-sharp. "Did I ever say anything nasty about you and Tiana Melford, like you two would

screw you! Are you cursing

bristle. His wife Tiana was pregnant, and the last thing he

"You started it."

honest. You're the one

he wondered if all Harmonia

his throat. "Gentlemen,

changed in an instant—after all,

"Quit spacing out and get me out

breath, "Never seen anyone

Ludwik. Now, chasing

going on

helped you, you'd never

almost let go of the hospital bed in irritation.

two of them