Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 65

Ludwik frowned and turned to look over.

Whitney stared into Elaine’s eyes, and now, Elaine gazed back with nothing but friendly warmth in her smile. The provocative coquettishness of the afternoon was nowhere to be seen.

Whitney looked at the man with suspicion, “L, what exactly is your relationship with Elaine? Why is she calling me Whitney?”

Elaine glanced at the man with a blink and a teasing smile.

Ludwik glanced at Elaine, and after a barely noticeable pause, he introduced her to Whitney, “She’s like a sister to me!”

“Like a sister?” Whitney raised an eyebrow, her expression inquisitive.

“Yeah,” the man said indifferently, “what did you think?”

Hearing his dispassionate introduction, a tightness formed in the back of Elaine’s eyes. Her fingers curled slightly, yet she flashed a bright, broad smile, “Whitney, I’m sorry about this afternoon. I was just playing along with Bro in a little act. It was all to help him out. I hope there are no hard feelings. Can you forgive and forget?”

Elaine’s demeanor was playful and seemingly harmless.

Whitney’s eyes shifted, and she laughed off the awkwardness, “So, you’re like a sister, huh? Well, Elaine, it’s nice to meet you! L has never mentioned you so I didn’t recognize.”

A sly glint crossed Elaine’s eyes, but she kept her tone light and smiling, “I guess I’m not worth mentioning. His heart is all for you, a true example of placing love before friendship.”

“Nonsense,” Ludwik scolded with a frown, but his eyes smiled at Elaine as he said softly, “Elaine, thank you for today.”

“It’s nothing, glad I could help you both,” Elaine said sweetly, then added, “Whitney, I was really worried about your belly when you pushed me. Everything’s okay, right?”

Whitney, feeling a bit embarrassed by the concern, replied, “I’m really sorry about earlier.”

The man wrapped an arm around her waist and looked her over closely, “Elaine was only trying to protect you. She was even falling to the ground, and there you were, pulling her hair out. Why you had such fierce combat skills?”

Whitney’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Elaine smiled generously. The man knew that she was helping him out, that she was careful with Whitney and his unborn child, seeing her as an understanding and harmless woman.

of this was so

curved playfully, “Alright, I’ll make my exit now. You two

the matriarch is back from the

What?

here too?

hand. Noticing her concerned look, he reassured her with a smile, “I was with my mother at the spa this afternoon, Elaine didn’t even go in. Are

expression softened. She was feeling a bit more

they found that Natalie’s room was just next door. The room

12:12

Chapter 65

the old lady leaning on a couch, clutching her chest and gasping for breath. Her face was pale, her forehead was beaded with sweat,

her, checking Natalie’s wrist and recognizing the signs of oxygen deprivation

when she caught Ludwik’s eye and remembered she had kept

walked in briskly with a first–aid kit, “Step

furrowed brow relaxed as he pulled Whitney away, “Elaine, check my

down to check the old lady’s eyes and lips. She then took out some medication and,

and was surprised that Elaine was also skilled in

lady’s breathing started to ease, and slowly her

Elaine asked, holding her hand with tender care, “I haven’t visited you in so long. Although you are still looking young and beautiful, I should really start calling you ‘Auntie‘ now with all the years we’ve

moment before smiling, “Elaine,

business trip today. I am usually busy fulfilling

your life,” Ludwik interjected gently; his

towards Elaine was cool and

I can do!” Elaine replied cheerfully while soothing

that Natalie withdrew her hand

up with a smile, “Whitney! Are you here at the

he tell you?” Whitney glanced

look before beckoning, “Whitney,

Whitney walked over

pulled her down onto the couch,

kneeling in front of the couch, began to pack up her kit with a