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?”

at all. I wouldn’t want to

and Ludwik’s face

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

scrutinized Elaine, unable to hide her distaste. From the moment Elaine had clung to L’s wrist, to

to emphasize that he put his jacket on you.

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

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

1/3

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

Elaine, “Why bother explaining to her? Did she appreciate your efforts to get a lawyer for her? She clearly doesn’t care, and

something, but a flicker of darkness

really don’t know how to appreciate things.”

of softening, he would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared

she deliberately

then declared, “Since you don’t care, Elaine,

you can’t just leave Whitney

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

on her IV stand, watching them leave hand in hand. Her heart felt colder than the howling wind

and

abdomen aching, making her want to

your

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

red eyes, she shuffled back to her room, collapsing

the hospital, a downpour

thrilled, was pulled into the car by

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

he would take her home, but

He was using her.

Ludwik offered a half–apology, “I’ll

heart, but this was the path she had chosen.

a demure look, she insisted, “It’s okay, Bro. I just have a

Ludwik wasn’t really listening, his gaze fixated

her car, 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 note. Reconciliation would be