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

like ice, and Ludwik’s face

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

hide her distaste. From the moment Elaine had clung to L’s wrist, to the subtle provocation in

have to emphasize that he put his

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

while tending to other women. The thought of

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

a lawyer for her? She clearly

to express something, but a flicker

know how

of softening, he would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her ex, mistook Simon for her savior, blamed him for

she deliberately

you don’t care, Elaine, I’ll

just leave

was truly furious now, his aura cold enough to freeze the hallway. He grabbed

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

her weary eyes closed, and dampness spread to

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

support. “Is that your husband? If

standing there for quite a while, not really talking to

red eyes,

hospital, a

secretly thrilled, was pulled into the car by

quenched by the cold rain, and he released Elaine’s hand, his eyes profound and exhausted. “Go

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

He was using her.

a half–apology, “I’ll

the path she had chosen. One day, she’d repay Whitney’s scorn a

I just have a little cold. I can

gaze fixated on

the scratch in 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 discordant