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

Ludwik’s face turned stormy.

I was wet, so he kindly offered me

to hide her distaste. From the moment Elaine had clung to L’s wrist, to the subtle provocation in her voice, Whithey recognized the games she

don’t have to emphasize that he put his jacket

she shouldn’t have said that, but what did

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

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at her ‘I couldn’t care less‘ remark. In any argument,

her? Did she appreciate your efforts to get a lawyer for her? She clearly doesn’t care, and if I went to put my jacket on you,

express something, but a flicker of darkness passed through her

how to appreciate things.”

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

she deliberately picking a

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

leave Whitney here,” Elaine

to freeze the hallway. He

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

eyes closed, and

voice choked up, her abdomen aching, making

“Is that your husband? If you’d just apologize, I’m sure

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

Whitney couldn’t hear her through the buzzing in her head. With red eyes, she shuffled back to her room, collapsing

hospital, a

secretly thrilled, was pulled into the car

released Elaine’s hand, his eyes profound and exhausted. “Go home by yourself,

would take her home, but that

He was using her.

half–apology,

at her heart, but this was the path she had chosen. One day,

okay, Bro. I just have a little cold.

listening, his gaze fixated on the

her heart turning into a smirk. This evening had been a triumph. Her ‘kindness‘ was etched in