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?”

“No problem at all. I wouldn’t want to keep

ice, and Ludwik’s face turned stormy.

eyes brimming with feigned concern, trying to explain, “Whitney, it was because I was wet, so he kindly offered me his

scrutinized Elaine, unable to hide her distaste. From the moment Elaine had clung to L’s wrist,

sneered, “I’m not misunderstanding anything, Elaine. You don’t have to emphasize that he put his jacket on you.

of control. She knew she shouldn’t have said that, but what did

the hospital room while tending to other women. The thought of her helpless situation in the

1/3

In any argument, she’d retreat like a turtle into

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

was eager to express something, but a flicker of darkness

don’t know how to appreciate things.”

would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her ex, mistook Simon

deliberately picking

you don’t care, Elaine, I’ll

can’t just leave Whitney here,” Elaine

enough to freeze the hallway. He grabbed Elaine and stormed

them leave hand in hand. Her

her weary eyes closed, and dampness

her abdomen aching, making her

nurse hurried over, offering support. “Is that your husband?

really talking to that other woman. Seemed like he was waiting

her head. With red eyes, she shuffled back to her room,

the hospital,

pulled into the car

rain, and he released

her home, but that was just an angry retort meant

He was using her.

offered a half–apology, “I’ll call you a

but this was the path she had chosen. One day, she’d repay Whitney’s

okay, Bro. I just have a little cold. I

really listening, his gaze fixated on

a smirk. This evening had been a triumph. Her ‘kindness‘ was etched in Ludwik’s mind,