Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1296

There was something unreadable in Ludwik’s eyes. He stepped aside, his long legs halting as he answered his phone, voice low and tense. “Parker, what’s up?”

“Is Whitney with you?” Parker’s voice came sharp, no small talk, straight to the point.

Ludwik heard the urgency and guessed what was coming. “What happened? Is it Ashton—”

“Valerie might die!” Parker cut him off, his words hitting like a slap.

For a moment, Ludwik’s normally stoic face flickered.

He didn’t respond right away.

Parker’s voice pressed on, cold and fast. “When I got back to Riverbend, Tiana told me Elaine was after Valerie’s kid. Ashton wasn’t even there, useless as ever. Valerie’s a mom—she sensed something was off. Stopped Elaine in time. But they couldn’t prove anything to Ashton. No evidence.”

Ludwik’s jaw tensed.

Parker continued, “A couple days later, Valerie just… couldn’t take it. She tried to confront Elaine about it, alone. Now she’s missing. Elaine’s gone too. Ashton finally realized what was happening. We’re searching everywhere. Someone spotted two women heading towards the old dam out by the lake…”

His voice dropped. “That place is dangerous, Ludwik. Valerie might be trying to end it all with Elaine, just to make Ashton see the truth. If Elaine’s gone, maybe Ashton will finally get his kid the help she needs. Valerie’s lost it, man. Driven mad by Elaine.”

Parker’s voice cracked. “You should tell Whitney to come home. Valerie might not make it—she might not even get a chance to say goodbye.”

Ludwik was quiet, face unreadable for a few seconds.

But Parker had said enough. Ludwik kept it short and steady. “I’ll tell her.”

“Tiana’s begging you, too. She’s in tears. Please, Ludwik.”

“Yeah.”

Whitney’s ears turned pink. She fumbled for something else to say, then blurted, “Did Natalie tell you not to go to Eurovoria?”

“She can’t decide that for me. Don’t worry about it.”

He said it simply, shutting down her concerns. What he did for her, he did because he wanted to.

Whitney’s heart squeezed. She looked up at him, searching his face, not sure what to say.

Ludwik, ever serious, finally asked, “Whitney, what’s your decision?”

“My… what decision?” She knew what he meant, but played dumb, not ready to face it.

He just looked at her, seeing right through her act. His eyes darkened. “My grandmother asked you a question this afternoon. What’s your answer? I’m here for it now.”