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.

nemesis, Ludwik, smoking

scent and the look were

turned to stare at the bathroom

hurried back to her bedroom and closed the

Tiana was jolted awake

was

rubbing her eyes. “Damn it,

of last night’s memories flooding back. She chuckled groggily,

in an instant. She tried hard to steady her expression and said, “Tiana, I’ve got

Tiana was all ears

heavy sigh, Whitney said, “About L and

not calling me in the middle of the night to

1/2

are you talking

Just spit it out.”

that L and Ludwik might be the

“What?”

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

L and Ludwik smoke the same brand of cigarettes! Those aren’t sold on the market. Don’t you think that’s too much

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! And most importantly, I recalled

he didn’t like tacky landscape paintings, which is exactly how I described L before. If Lis really Ludwik, I’m done–I’ve

so harsh? According to this theory, isn’t

lied to Ludwik 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 grew more agitated as she spoke, “Think about it, L and Ludwik are both

you sniff them?” Tiana

second, “Besides, as my nemesis, Ludwik wouldn’t help me without any reasons. Unless… he is L. A man like him wouldn’t just stand by

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

think? If they’re the same person, then L has a good reason for wearing the

chin thoughtfully, “It’s not impossible. Girl, what are you waiting

needed to seek