Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 57

Grumpy and without much of a choice, she turned with a resigned sigh, reaching for the fridge to grab some spaghetti, tomatoes and meat.

Ludwik furrowed, gesturing to the other plentiful ingredients, “With all these, you’re just going to make spaghetti for me?”

“Is there a problem with spaghetti?” she retorted. “Be grateful I’m cooking for you!”

Moments later, she served the spaghetti and quickly retreated upstairs.

After devouring the spaghetti, Ludwik’s mood improved marginally. When he headed up for a shower, he found the master bedroom door firmly shut and locked. He couldn’t get in.

From behind the door, Whitney emboldened herself, “Mom’s gone to sleep in the main house. From now on, please don’t come to my room Mr. L. I don’t agree to your sleeping on the couch either.”

“Why not?” His expression turned icy.

It was silence from inside. She was probably scrambling for an excuse. Then Whitney blurted out, “My baby needs to sleep well.”

Ludwik’s face darkened further as he headed to the guest bathroom.

Whitney was worried he’d be furious. From the get–go, she knew this man had a temper.

Peeking out, she saw the guest bathroom door coldly shut.

With no Taryn to attend to him, his privileged self had tossed his shirt carelessly around. Whitney picked up his shirt and was intended to put it back, when she saw a slim cigarette fall out of the pocket.

It was luxurious to the touch, clearly a bespoke brand.

That wasn’t the point, though. Whitney’s eyes widened as she stared at the cigarette, turning it over and over in her hands.

seen her nemesis, Ludwik, smoking the same

and the look

to stare at the

her bedroom and closed the door,

Tiana was

was odd,

her eyes. “Damn it, Whitney, did you ditch me at the hotel

and saw the mess on the dresser, bits of last night’s memories flooding back. She chuckled groggily, “I dreamed I saw a couple making out in front of me, Whitney.

tried hard to steady her expression and said, “Tiana, I’ve got urgent news. I think I’ve stumbled

of conspiracy?” Tiana was

sigh, Whitney said, “About

to tell me the two heartthrobs around

1/2

are you talking

Just spit it out.”

and Ludwik might be the same person?”

“What?”

with confusion and a touch of horror, “Have I been thinking

“Tonight, I noticed that L and Ludwik smoke the same brand of cigarettes! Those aren’t sold

Today, Ludwik defended me, using a draft I’d only discussed with L earlier. I never gave it anyone else before. I asked if L knew Ludwik but he dodged the question! Ludwik did the same this afternoon!

which is exactly how I described L before. If Lis really Ludwik,

this theory, isn’t

about going home to take care of my husband, L. And when L came to the bar, he asked me directly why I hadn’t gone home to take care of him. What do you think?” Whitney

them?” Tiana teased with a

reasons. Unless… he is L. A man like him wouldn’t just stand by

turn detective, interrupting, “So it’s all because of a cigarette

has a good reason for wearing the mask all the time!” Whitney

“It’s not impossible. Girl, what are you waiting for?

course they needed to seek for