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?"

hard it hurt. "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 her mom. As for your so-called relationship, I

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

Are you

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

"You started it."

being brutally honest.

bickering and sighed. Sometimes he wondered if all Harmonia Country men were this

his throat. "Gentlemen, Ms. Tennyson really does need some peace

shrugged, but Ludwik's demeanor changed in an instant—after all, everything counted in front of his future

Parker a look. "Quit spacing out and get

seen anyone switch

the old Ludwik-the cold, arrogant, untouchable Ludwik. Now, chasing after Whitney, the guy had no

you've got a thousand schemes going on in that old head

I'm not an idiot. If Whitney hadn't helped you, you'd never

of the hospital bed in irritation.

of them kept