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?”

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

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

brimming with feigned concern, trying to explain, “Whitney, it was because I was wet, so he kindly offered me his jacket. He didn’t mean anything by it. Please don’t

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

anything, Elaine. You don’t have to emphasize that he put his jacket on

of control. She knew she

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

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argument, she’d retreat

Elaine, “Why bother 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

but a flicker of

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

have lost his mind, choosing to stay here. Just moments ago, he had hoped that if Whitney showed any sign of softening, he would smoothly reconcile with her. She

deliberately

declared, “Since you don’t care,

you can’t just leave Whitney

his aura cold enough to freeze the hallway. He grabbed Elaine and

them leave hand in hand. Her heart felt colder than the howling

and dampness

voice choked up, her abdomen aching, making

that your husband? If

talking to that other

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

the hospital, a downpour

secretly thrilled, was pulled into the car by

he released Elaine’s

He had said he would take her home, but that was just an

He was using her.

a half–apology, “I’ll call you a

her heart, but this was the path

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

his gaze

car, the scratch in her heart turning into a smirk. This evening had been a triumph. Her ‘kindness‘ was etched in Ludwik’s mind,