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 keep you from

were like ice, and Ludwik’s

was wet,

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

sneered, “I’m not misunderstanding anything, Elaine. You don’t have to emphasize that he

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

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

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

a lawyer for

to express something, but a flicker of darkness passed

how to

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

deliberately picking

“Since you don’t care, Elaine,

leave

to freeze the

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

eyes closed, and dampness

up, her abdomen aching, making her want to cry even

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

while, not really talking to that other woman. Seemed like he was waiting for

in her head. With red eyes, she shuffled back to her room, collapsing into bed,

the hospital, a

pulled into the

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

said he would take her home, but that was just an angry retort

He was using her.

offered a half–apology, “I’ll call

scratch at her heart, but this was the path she had chosen. One day, she’d repay Whitney’s scorn

just have a little

wasn’t really listening, his gaze fixated on the hospital’s

a triumph. Her ‘kindness‘ was etched in