Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 81

As Whitney spotted L lingering in the hallway, her heart quivered, and a glimmer of hope lit up in her eyes. She wondered if he was just being tough with his words but soft–hearted inside. But then she saw him draping his Jacket over Elaine’s shoulders with such care, and realization hit her hard.

It wasn’t about her all.

L hadn’t left because he was taking care of Elaine, who was soaked to the bone, probably needing to see a doctor.

Meanwhile, there she was, having been roughed up, aching all over in her hospital room, with not even a glass of water to drink because he’d refused to hire a nurse for her.

And from where she stood, it almost looked like L was pulling Elaine into an embrace.

What kind of sister was Elaine to deserve such intimacy?

A chill settled in Whitney’s gaze.

Pushing the IV stand, she slowly made her way out of the room.

Elaine, quick to notice, warned the man while taking a step back, putting some distance between them. It was a clear attempt to show innocence, but it only made her look more suspicious.

Whitney’s gaze turned icy. Suddenly, the cup in her hand felt too heavy, and as it slipped, it crashed onto her foot, eliciting a sharp cry of pain.

Ludwik’s cold hand reached out to steady her as he scolded, “Can’t you be more careful?”

He picked up the cup, and seeing her parched lips, a pang of regret hit him.

Did she need some water?

But Whitney heard only his irritation, a stark contrast to the tenderness he’d shown Elaine just moments before. Her displeasure surged, and she coldly shook off his hand.

His displeasure was immediate. He’d already set aside his pride with the gesture of a peace offering, and now she was pushing him away?

He wanted to spank her for her insolence.

Pressing down on the IV stand, he glared at her with a chilling look, “What’s your problem, Whitney?”

problem at all. I wouldn’t want to keep you from

were like ice, and Ludwik’s face turned stormy. “What’s with the

was because I was wet, so he kindly offered me his jacket. He didn’t mean anything by it. Please

clung to L’s wrist, to the subtle

have to emphasize that he put his

acknowledged feeling somewhat out of control. She knew she shouldn’t have said that, but

in the hospital room while tending to other women. The thought of her helpless situation in the hospital room stirred a mixture of resentment and anger

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remark. In any argument, she’d retreat

a lawyer for her? She clearly doesn’t care, and if I went to

a flicker

how to appreciate things.”

would smoothly reconcile with her. She

she deliberately picking a

then declared, “Since you don’t care, Elaine, I’ll take

you can’t just leave Whitney

furious now, his aura cold enough to freeze the hallway.

watching them leave hand

and

abdomen aching, making her

over, offering support. “Is that your husband? If you’d

while, not really talking to that

buzzing in her head. With red eyes, she shuffled back to her room, collapsing into bed, too exhausted

hospital,

pulled into the

cold rain, and he released Elaine’s hand, his

expression froze. He had said he would take her home, but that

He was using her.

Ludwik offered a half–apology, “I’ll

felt a scratch at her heart, but this was the path she had chosen. One day, she’d repay

just have a little cold. I can make it home

wasn’t really listening, his gaze fixated on the hospital’s second

her heart turning into a smirk. This evening had been a triumph. Her ‘kindness‘ was etched in Ludwik’s mind, and the relationship between those two began on a discordant note.