Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1297

In the late afternoon, Camilla looked at her and asked gently, “Are you going to raise the baby, sweetheart?" She added, "No matter what you decide, I'll support you."

Now, Ludwik seized on Camilla's question, suddenly turning the moment into something formal-almost like a business negotiation—as he asked Whitney for her answer.

Late that night, when the house was silent, Whitney took a deep breath.

She realized, once again, how Ludwik was every bit the shrewd businessman-methodical and precise. He didn't live by guesswork. Even if he was ninety-nine percent sure what she'd say, he needed to hear her confirm it herself. He needed control—absolute certainty.

The thought left a heavy ache in her chest.

She hated that he kept circling back to this. “Ludwik, what exactly are you getting at?” she snapped.

He picked up on the chill in her tone instantly and knew she'd probably misunderstood his intentions.

He stepped closer, the shadow he cast growing over her. With the warm light behind him, his features seemed carved from marble. He gently wrapped his hand around her wrist, the one holding the baby's bottle. "Don't let this fester inside you, Whitney."

“I don't want to, but you keep bringing it up,” Whitney replied, her brows furrowing, her heart-shaped face darkening.

up in her arms. "So,

the heart

drop all her reservations. His voice was low and steady, like the night outside. "I want the truth, straight from you. That's what

no grandma, no Dad,

No Sammy, no Danny.

else, including

honestly, from your heart:

gone. But I know some wounds don't heal

Whitney, I honestly don't know

across his face as he swallowed hard. “I overheard what you said

looked up at him,

letting out a small, tired laugh. "When did I stop being the center of your world? I'm not even on your mind anymore... Whitney, when your heart turned cold, it hurt

eyes shimmered,

then what's the

won't ask you for

he was really saying. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you using the baby as leverage? If I don't say I forgive you tonight, does that mean

dare play