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?”

“No problem at all. I wouldn’t want to

and Ludwik’s face

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

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

have to emphasize that he put his jacket on you. I couldn’t care

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

hospital room while tending to other women. The

1/3

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

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

a flicker

know how

must have lost his mind, choosing to stay here. Just moments ago, he had hoped that if Whitney showed any sign of softening, he would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her ex, mistook Simon for her savior, blamed

she deliberately picking

then declared, “Since you don’t care,

can’t just leave

his aura cold enough to freeze the hallway.

Whitney leaned on her IV stand, watching them leave hand

closed, and dampness spread to the

aching, making her want to cry even

offering support. “Is that your

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

red eyes, she shuffled back

the hospital, a downpour

was pulled into the

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

froze. He had said he would take her home, but

He was using her.

half–apology,

the path she had chosen. One day, she’d

“It’s okay, Bro. I just have a little cold. I

listening, his gaze fixated

triumph. Her ‘kindness‘ was etched in Ludwik’s mind, and the relationship between those two began on a discordant note. Reconciliation would be