Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 80

Whitney trembled all over, chilled to the bone as if drenched by a bucket of ice water that stung her eyes and turned them red.

Her lips quivered, her face pale as death, not understanding why he was so furious with her. She was already exhausted.

She nodded weakly, a bitter laugh escaping her, “Fine, I’m despicable. I’m worn out. It’s been too much tonight, and I have no desire to argue with you anymore–especially since you’ve arrived so late.”

Bitterness spread from the tip of her heart, and a subtle ache proved more piercing than any physical wound.

“Bro, don’t stoop to his level, you’ve hurt your lip,” Elaine suddenly panicked, hurrying over.

Observing that Whitney didn’t turn to Ludwik but instead assisted Simon, Elaine knew tonight would be full of drama.

Suppressing her excitement, she worriedly helped Ludwik to his feet.

Ludwik’s gaze turned colder. Even Elaine, an outsider, knew to help him.

Was Whitney a complete fool to assist Simon instead?

His eyes fixed on the woman before him, and upon spotting the men’s sweater she wore, his temper flared again. He strode over, grabbed her arm without a word, and started tugging at her sweater, “Whose damn clothes are you wearing?”

“L, don’t touch me…” Whitney’s face grew paler still.

“I can’t touch you? Who can, him?” His anger swelled, his grip tightening on her wrist.

Whitney felt as if her arm would snap; the pain left her speechless.

“Have you lost your mind? Don’t lay a finger on her! Do you have any idea what… what happened to her in jail?” Simon tried to rise, his voice filled with rage.

Elaine stomped on Simon, cutting off his words with a yelp of pain. She rushed to Whitney’s side, her face etched with concern, “Bro, easy. Whitney might’ve been hurt in the lockup.”

Examining Whitney’s face, which was indeed pale, Ludwik detected no sign of injury.

His expression turned even colder. It was clear that Elaine was trying to cover for her.

Just a moment ago, they said she was merely shaken.

up with Simon in the restroom! His judgment clouded by

thought that she believed Simon had saved

another man in the restroom, no wonder she didn’t answer my calls!” Ludwik’s

upon hearing his

avoided leaving visible marks on her face, concealing the bruises, yet this

Was he blind?

endured immense suffering- beaten while carrying his child, terrified, slandered, sitting motionless in an interrogation room for hours without water, anticipating his arrival, wishing he

as he did

didn’t show

1/2

12.16

two calls she made to him? He didn’t

arrived at his leisure, with Elaine in

emotions and tension of the night, all collapsed

shoved Ludwik aside. Tears welled at the corners of her eyes as she exclaimed, “Yeah, I’m fine, your baby’s fine too! I’m not in pain at

of morning sickness, and she wanted to share it

late, and

also a socialite. She had

idea how I felt in despair. I don’t even want to ask what kept you so busy tonight. Why didn’t you answer my calls, why you were so late…” Her gaze swept past Elaine and him standing shoulder to shoulder, a cold laugh escaping her, “Now I see,

a business trip? Why did he bring his so–called sister

voice was dark and mocking, his

he’d been on the move because of

man turned coldly and

Whitney

from kissing?” He spun around, his gaze a storm as he glanced at the battered

get Whitney a nurse?” Elaine

one’s allowed to get a nurse. Let her fend for herself!” Ludwik’s

was left with nothing

not see the medical

and a coldness in her heart, she supported herself against the wall

with reluctance, but he knew

expression, he expressed concern for her, “Be careful. I’ll look

wearily, her petite face looking even more fragile in

as

doctors came in, and her cup of water was now empty. Thirsty and bewildered by L’s cruelty, Whitney couldn’t comprehend why he would neglect her, especially considering she was