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?”

self–derision, Whitney retorted, “No problem at all. I wouldn’t want to keep you from playing dress–up

words were like ice, and Ludwik’s face turned stormy.

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

moment Elaine had clung to L’s wrist, to the

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

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

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

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

to get a lawyer for

eager to express something, but a flicker of darkness passed

you really don’t know how to

would smoothly reconcile with

she deliberately picking

you don’t care, Elaine, I’ll

just leave Whitney

enough to freeze the hallway.

IV stand, watching them leave hand in hand.

closed, and

abdomen aching, making her

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

talking to that other woman. Seemed

eyes, she shuffled back to her room, collapsing into bed, too exhausted

hospital, a downpour

secretly thrilled, was pulled

released Elaine’s hand, his eyes profound

her home, but that

He was using her.

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

felt a scratch at her heart, but this was the path she had chosen.

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

Ludwik wasn’t really listening, his gaze

This evening had been a triumph. Her ‘kindness‘ was etched in Ludwik’s mind, and the relationship between those two