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?”

all. I wouldn’t

ice, and Ludwik’s face turned

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

the moment Elaine had clung to L’s wrist, to the subtle provocation in her

You don’t have to emphasize that he

knew she shouldn’t have said that,

in the hospital room while tending to other women. The thought

1/3

darkened at her ‘I couldn’t care less‘ remark. In any argument, she’d retreat like a turtle into its shell,

lawyer for her? She clearly doesn’t

to express something, but a flicker of darkness passed

really don’t know how

to stay here. Just moments ago, he had hoped that if Whitney showed any sign of softening, he would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her ex, mistook Simon for her savior,

deliberately picking

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

can’t just leave Whitney

now, his aura cold enough to freeze the

IV stand, watching them leave hand in hand. Her heart felt

and dampness spread to

choked up, her abdomen aching, making her

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

been standing there for quite a while, not really talking to that other woman. Seemed like he

couldn’t hear her through the buzzing in her head. With red eyes, she shuffled back

hospital, a downpour

pulled into the car by

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

said he would take her home, but that was just

He was using her.

a half–apology, “I’ll call you

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

just have a little cold. I can make it

gaze

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