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?”

I wouldn’t want to keep you from playing

and Ludwik’s face turned

eyes brimming with feigned concern, trying to explain, “Whitney, it was because I was wet, so he kindly

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

to emphasize that he put his jacket on you. I

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

her, had left her stranded in the hospital room while tending to other women.

1/3

In any argument, she’d retreat like a turtle into its shell, absolving herself of

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

to express something, but a flicker

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 him for not rescuing her, and misunderstood his

deliberately

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

just leave Whitney here,” Elaine

truly furious now, his aura cold enough to freeze the

on her IV stand, watching them leave hand in hand. Her heart

eyes closed, and dampness spread to

Her voice choked up, her abdomen aching, making

nurse hurried over, offering support. “Is that your husband? If you’d just apologize,

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

eyes, she shuffled

hospital, a

secretly thrilled, was pulled

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

home, but that was

He was using her.

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

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

have a little cold. I can make it home on

really listening, his gaze

‘kindness‘ was etched in Ludwik’s mind, and the relationship between those two began on