Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 44

Whitney’s cheeks were flushed with anger as she took several gulps of the drink.

L quirked a grin, asking. Tastes bad, huh?”

“Yes,” Whitney lied defiantly, although, in truth, it was not bad at all–he was quite the chef.

His brows arched quizzically, and he leaned closer, “Let me be the judge of that.

Instead of tasting from the glass, his lips found hers in a sudden kiss.

“Hey!” She protested, words muffled. How could he do this again? Whitney struggled, but his absence had clearly affected him, his kisses growing more fervent, Gradually, her resistance faded, her grip crumpling the

fabric of his shirt.

His back was a landscape of strength, which Whitney dared not touch as her cheeks blushed even deeper. Finally, he pulled away to catch his breath, looking at her intently. “Now, you can explain properly.”

How could he? After teasing her, he had the nerve to ask for an explanation?

Pushing him away, Whitney stood up, her voice tinged with annoyance. “There’s nothing to clarify. Mr. L, your personal phone line was answered by some other woman. That alone tells me all I need to know about you. We may be in a contract marriage, but while I won’t meddle in your colorful private life, don’t you dare flirt with me. Got it?”

The atmosphere in the room turned icy.

He stepped forward, his presence chilling. “Me? Colorful private life?”

“Isn’t that so?” Whitney went on, feeling a need for clarity. “Eight days ago, I called you in the afternoon, and a woman answered.”

Frowning, he pulled out his phone and shoved it into her hands. “Check for yourself,”

Whitney took the phone, surprised by his boldness. Guilty men would never hand over their phones so easily. yet he was utterly indifferent.

Feeling a bit awkward but determined not to lose face, Whitney scrolled through the call log.

Eight days back, she checked once, and the record was gone.

“You deleted it, Mr. L. Or maybe

pushed her against the wall, his voice laced with mockery. “If I really had someone else, why would I hide it from you? Who

sting of pain

How dare he?

she think she

voice was palpable as she pushed him

of arrogance and tenderness, “And just so you know, I’m not interested in women… but if I had to choose, it would be you. You slept with me, and you have to be responsible for this,

slowly comprehending his

realization–was she the only

reddened as she stammered, “Don’t talk nonsense to me. I don’t understand it

I’m at your service,” he

waste of breath, Whitney huffed, still upset about the mysterious phone call. No sincerity,

“All this fuss over a phone call. You’re just jealous, aren’t you? I have to admit it’s quite fun to see you jealous. What would you

face tightened. T’m not jealous. You

breathed out, tickling her

“Can’t you ever stop, Mr. L?”

hand to the bedside cabinet, which he opened to reveal some medical supplies. He rolled up his trouser leg to show a

Whitney asked, “Got this the other

be injured if not for you? Ungrateful thing, tend

at his self–inflicted tantrum but obediently applied the antiseptic and wrapped the wound with fresh bandages, her fingers gentle

out of the blue, “Did your stepsister steal

up, surprised he knew. “Are you offering to

I look like I want

pouted, her own grievances still not addressed. He still had yet to explain

blurted out, “Then I’ll just have to go see that Ludwik, my dear rival. He’s got the power, he seems interested in me. Maybe

turned frosty. “Ludwik interested in

he’s quite the catch! Though he’s a scoundrel at heart, a one–time investment wouldn’t be a

how would you make this

and

We’re just in

He pulled her closer, his voice a mix of threat and amusement. “Ludwik wouldn’t give you a second glance, especially not

stood up abruptly, grabbing his coat. “Enough.

lovers to choose from, don’t