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.

to cozy up with Simon in the restroom! His judgment clouded by rage, and he

had saved her put a

with another man in

heart chilled upon hearing

two women in the holding cell intentionally avoided leaving visible marks on her face, concealing the bruises, yet

Was he blind?

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

as he did at that charity

he didn’t

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12.16

two calls she made to him?

his leisure, with

pent–up emotions and

fine, your baby’s fine too!

of morning sickness, and she wanted to share it with him, wanted his support as

late, and then

She had never experienced

bastard. You have no idea how I felt in despair. I don’t even want to ask what kept you so busy tonight. Why didn’t you answer

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

important.” His voice was dark and mocking, his face etched with

he’d been on the move because of her,

man turned coldly

with concern, pleading, “Bro, Whitney looks weak. You can’t just

gaze a storm

a nurse?”

fend for herself!” Ludwik’s voice was

nothing but a scornful

see the

lose his mind. Shaking with pain and a coldness in her heart, she supported herself against the wall and

he knew staying

he expressed concern for her, “Be careful.

wearily, her petite face looking even more fragile in

room was as silent as

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 carrying his child. Tears streamed down her face, and she exerted