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 playing dress–up with your

words were like ice, and Ludwik’s face

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

her distaste. From the moment Elaine had clung to L’s

You don’t have to emphasize

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

women. The thought of her helpless situation in the hospital room stirred a mixture of resentment and anger

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

appreciate your efforts to get a lawyer

something, but a flicker of darkness passed through her

you really don’t know how to appreciate things.”

would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her ex, mistook

deliberately picking

don’t care, Elaine, I’ll take

just leave

enough to freeze the hallway. He grabbed Elaine and stormed

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

eyes closed, and dampness spread to the

choked up, her abdomen aching,

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

really talking to that other woman. Seemed like

eyes, she shuffled

hospital, a

thrilled, was pulled

rage in Ludwik was quenched by the cold rain, and he released Elaine’s hand, his eyes profound and

had said he would take her home,

He was using her.

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

her heart, but this was the path

okay, Bro. I just have a little cold. I can make

gaze fixated on the

turning into a smirk. This evening had been a triumph. Her ‘kindness‘ was etched in Ludwik’s mind, and the relationship