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 want

and Ludwik’s face

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

to L’s wrist, to the subtle provocation in her voice, Whithey

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

feeling somewhat out of control. She knew she shouldn’t have said

women. The thought of her helpless situation in the hospital

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

Did she appreciate your efforts to get a lawyer for her? She clearly doesn’t care,

express something, but a flicker of darkness

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

smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her ex, mistook Simon for her savior, blamed him for not rescuing her, and misunderstood his relationship

she deliberately picking

“Since you don’t care, Elaine, I’ll

you can’t just leave Whitney here,”

cold enough to freeze the hallway. He grabbed

Whitney leaned on her IV stand, watching them leave hand in hand. Her heart

weary eyes closed, and

Her voice choked up, her abdomen aching, making her want to cry

over, offering support. “Is that your husband?

been standing there for quite a while, not really talking to that

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

hospital,

secretly thrilled, was pulled into

and he released Elaine’s hand, his eyes

he would take her home, but that was just an angry

He was using her.

half–apology, “I’ll

her heart, but this was the path

Bro. I just have a little cold. I

his gaze fixated on

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