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

ice, and Ludwik’s

feigned concern, trying to explain, “Whitney, it was because I was

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

Elaine. You don’t have to emphasize that he

acknowledged feeling somewhat out of control. She knew she

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

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care less‘ remark. In any argument, she’d retreat like a turtle into its shell, absolving herself of

explaining to her? Did she appreciate your efforts to get a lawyer for her? She clearly doesn’t care, and if I went to put my jacket on you, I

was eager to express something, but a flicker of darkness passed

you really don’t know how to appreciate things.”

showed any sign of softening, he would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her ex, mistook Simon for her savior, blamed him for not rescuing her,

deliberately picking a

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

leave

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

them leave hand in

her weary eyes closed, and dampness

aching, making her want

over, offering support. “Is that your husband? If you’d just apologize, I’m

talking to

the buzzing in her head. With red eyes, she shuffled back to her room, collapsing

the hospital, a

was pulled into the car by

released Elaine’s hand, his eyes profound and exhausted.

take her home, but that was just an angry

He was using her.

offered a half–apology, “I’ll

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

just have

gaze fixated on the hospital’s

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