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

words were like ice, and Ludwik’s face turned stormy. “What’s with

with feigned concern, trying to explain, “Whitney, it was because I was wet, so he kindly offered me his jacket. He didn’t mean anything by it. Please don’t

to L’s wrist, to the subtle provocation in her voice, Whithey recognized the games

emphasize that he

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

women.

1/3

expression darkened at her ‘I couldn’t care less‘ remark. In any argument, she’d retreat like a turtle into its shell, absolving herself of

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

to express something, but a flicker of darkness passed through her

really don’t know how to appreciate things.”

would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her ex, mistook Simon for her savior, blamed him for

she deliberately picking

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

just leave Whitney

enough to freeze the hallway. He grabbed Elaine and stormed

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

her weary eyes closed, and dampness spread to the

up, her abdomen aching, making

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

He’s been standing there for quite a while, not really talking to that other woman. Seemed like he

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

the hospital, a

thrilled, was pulled into the car

he released Elaine’s hand, his eyes profound

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

He was using her.

Ludwik offered a half–apology,

the path she had chosen.

have

listening, his gaze fixated

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