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?”

laced with self–derision, Whitney retorted, “No problem at all. I wouldn’t

like ice, and Ludwik’s face

concern, trying to explain, “Whitney, it was because I was wet, so

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

sneered, “I’m not misunderstanding anything, Elaine. You don’t have to emphasize that

She knew she shouldn’t have said that, but what

indifferent to her, had left her stranded in the hospital room while tending to other women. The

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‘I couldn’t care less‘ remark. In any argument, she’d retreat like a turtle into its shell, absolving herself of

Did she appreciate your efforts to get a lawyer

something, but a flicker of

you really don’t know how

smoothly

deliberately

you don’t care, Elaine, I’ll

just leave Whitney here,”

aura cold enough to freeze the hallway. He

hand in hand. Her heart

closed, and dampness spread to the

her abdomen aching, making her want to cry

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

quite a while, not really talking to that other woman. Seemed like

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

hospital,

pulled

Ludwik was quenched by the cold rain, and he released

would take her home, but

He was using her.

half–apology,

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

look, she insisted, “It’s okay, Bro. I just have a little cold. I can make

his gaze fixated

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