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?”

Whitney retorted, “No problem at all. I wouldn’t want to keep you from playing

and Ludwik’s face turned

explain, “Whitney, it was because I was wet, so

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

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

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

the hospital room while tending to other women. The thought of her helpless situation in the hospital room stirred a mixture of resentment

1/3

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

at Elaine, “Why bother explaining to her? Did she appreciate your efforts to get a lawyer for her? She clearly doesn’t care, and if I went to put my jacket on you, I

but a flicker of darkness passed

how

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

deliberately

then declared, “Since you don’t care,

just leave Whitney here,” Elaine

cold enough to freeze the hallway. He grabbed Elaine

hand in hand.

her weary eyes closed, and dampness

abdomen aching, making her want

that your husband? If you’d

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

Whitney couldn’t hear her through the buzzing in her head. With red eyes, she shuffled back to her

the hospital, a downpour

pulled into the car

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

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

He was using her.

Ludwik offered a half–apology, “I’ll

heart, but this was the path she had chosen. One day, she’d repay

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

listening, his gaze

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