Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 117

But the complexity in the man’s eyes, the storms they concealed, were beyond Whitney’s comprehension. Ludwik mused in silence. Elaine was the bridge between him and the Bartels family; their interests intertwined. There was a time he had wanted her gone, his dislike manifesting as a reluctance to keep her close. But the Lippert family was eyeing him with predatory intent; Kaden was eager to make him hand over the reins of Imperial Gem Corporation to Orion.

Just waiting for him to slip up.

In such times, he needed the Bartels family.

How could this silly girl understand the depths of it all? Ludwik shot her a sidelong glance. “Enough talk. I’m starving. If the food isn’t ready soon, I might just eat you!”

“What an abrupt turn,” Whitney thought, returning to the kitchen.

Yet, even if they were just to soothe her, his words filled her with a sweet sense of being valued and finally feeling the weight of her importance to him.

ly prepared.

Eventually, two maids joined to assist, and dinner was finally

Whitney stood by the bed, feeding him like a dutiful wife, unable to resist glancing at his hands that moved with ease.

“What are you looking at? Injured shoulders don’t mean I can’t move my hands,” he declared righteously, even as his fingers deftly navigated the screen of his smartphone.

Whitney was too shocked for words, thinking that saving her seemed to justify all manner of twisted logic. Felix, too, was silently twitching at the corner of his mouth, thinking. “Mr. Lippert, just admit you enjoy being pampered by your little wife. Would it kill you?”

Clearly reveling in the attention, the man frowned. “I haven’t bathed all day Wipe me down later.”

The bowl in Whitney’s hands nearly tipped over. She stole a glance at his mature, muscular frame, her heart skipping a beat as she blushed. “Maybe… Felix should do it?”

“Did I risk my life to save Felix?”

Whitney fell silent.

And Felix, all too aware, had already left the room.

Whitney clenched her fists, trying to reason with him. “But I’d be embarrassed. We’re not that close yet,” she protested.

“Don’t be embarrassed. I allow you to admire my perfect form. Just don’t get overwhelmed,” he said, his noble arrogance on full display.

was at a loss for words against his impregnable facade.

a debt of

tightly before fetching a basin of warm water. Taking up the washcloth with

this particular sculpture was too captivating, his form long and graceful, his muscles well–defined, his skin smooth and pale–a stark contrast to the fashionable bronze tans of the day, exuding an air

to control her gaze, but

her with a mischievous glint, her eyes darting over his body, her cheeks flushed like tempting apples.

Chapter 11,

bobbed as he acknowledged her struggle against his damned

me yet,

revealed that the man faltered first.

you done yet?

as she coughed

finished quickly, rushing to the washroom with the hot water, leaning against the door, panting,

mind as she returned, ready to negotiate again. “Can’t you just hire a male

on about just now? Got some idea on your mind?” He leaned against the headboard, taking deep breaths,

“Stop bullying me, L. I had maids helping me

was only because he realized she could not handle the dinner alone, so he could not bear to see her stand and bend for too long since she was

of love with me already? Yesterday in the hallway, you were pleading for me to wake up, willing

skipped the retort. She had never said such things.

he stop twisting my confession into something it’s not?”

she heard a sudden wince from him. “What’s

lips together, feigning vulnerability. “It hurts

might truly be in pain, her face showing a hint

at her wit’s end.

smirked, a devious curve playing on his lips. “Alright, sleep with me then,” his voice weak.

man with an incredible physique could be devastatingly charming when he whined without clashing with

She had just settled into her small bed when he complained, “You’re so far away, it hurts

gaze, Whitney eventually lay in his embrace. The hospital bed was not wide, and she was cautious not to touch his injured shoulder or head.

and Whitney Instantly snapped awake. “Are

mask of stoicism. “Never

could she sleep knowing it was because of her? If it were not for him, she would be the

furrowed with concern. “No, I’ll find a doctor.”

use is that? Can he stop