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 to keep you from playing dress–up

like ice, and Ludwik’s face turned stormy.

“Whitney, it was because I was wet, so

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

don’t have to emphasize that he put his

out of control. She knew she shouldn’t have

stranded in the hospital room while tending to other women. The thought of her helpless situation in the hospital room stirred a mixture of

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

to get a lawyer for her? She clearly doesn’t care, and if I went to put my jacket

something, but a flicker of darkness passed through

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

showed any sign of softening, he would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her

she deliberately picking

you don’t care, Elaine, I’ll take

can’t just leave Whitney here,” Elaine

cold enough to

leaned on her IV stand, watching them leave hand in

and dampness spread

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

that your husband? If you’d just

really talking to

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

the hospital, a downpour

pulled into the car

was quenched by the cold rain, and he released

froze. He had said he would take her home, but that was just an angry retort meant

He was using her.

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

scratch at her heart, but this was the path

have a little cold. I

his gaze fixated on the hospital’s second

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