Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 126

The door was shut tight, and his towering frame pressed down upon the bed, engulfing Valerie’s petite face in his grasp. A mix of disgust and an uncontrollable desire to touch her surged through him as he began to peel away her clothing.

As her fair skin was exposed, the fire within him raged out of control–a fire certainly kindled earlier at Elaine’s apartment.

But he could not touch Elaine, so his hunger was redirected towards this woman.

He leaned in, ready to bite.

Valerie pushed him away coldly, her voice laced with biting sarcasm as she said, “You’re here to hassle me over Elaine, right? Hypocrite, you loathe me, so when did you start craving my body? Enjoyed it last time, didn’t you?”

Ashton’s face twisted as if she had stripped away his mask, a flash of embarrassment in his eyes. He grabbed her fiercely, his voice icy with mockery. “Don’t you get it? You’re just a stand–in. Even now, it’s her I’m thinking about.”

“Get off me!” Valerie could not stand it anymore.

Her heart felt like it was being pierced with a sharp spike.

“She’s so wonderful, why don’t you go to her? Didn’t Ludwik cast her aside?”

“If she had not been in love with Ludwik, do you think I would have married you?”

So, this marriage was just charity from Elaine?

A bitter smile crossed Valerie’s heart, her face growing colder. Suddenly, she laughed. “Good thing Ludwik isn’t as blind as you. You’re the only one who treasures that woman. You have no idea how evil she is!”

Ashton gripped her chin tightly, “And you think you have the right to talk about her? She risked her life to save me once, and when I asked you to get help, you did not.”

Looking into his cold eyes, Valerie suddenly lost the will to argue.

This was why Ashton hated her.

Back then, she had saved him, nearly freezing to death while getting him clothes.

But returning, she saw Elaine administering CPR to Ashton, and Elaine even slandered her, claiming she had delayed getting help.

That was when Ashton’s heart turned cold.

Valerie did not know just how malicious Elaine was in her targeting.

Valerie had tried to explain, time and again, that she was the one who saved him.

But there was something about explanations, the more you give, the more misunderstandings grow.

Ashton saw her as a selfish woman who left him for dead.

given up on explaining.

could not care less about the man’s misunderstandings and indifference.

refusing to be tormented any longer. Then, suddenly, a chilling voice. echoed from downstairs, “Ashton,

he feared that voice.

rushed down. “Holy smokes,

hand to his forehead, had no choice

to kick him away and distanced

to face the imposing Ludwik, a formidable presence that

cold

air of rebellion, but even he fell short in

voice a cold interrogation, “Who gave you the right to wag your tongue

staggered, quickly regaining his footing, and returned a punch in rage, “You dare hit your

meddles in my business

Ludwik was ruthless.

and Parker stood by, uneasy in the presence of

targeted Ludwik over Elaine

had looked the other

on Whitney had

was your fiancée. You’ve fallen for that scheming

into a cold rage

landed another punch on Ashton and walked away to smoke in the night, warning, “Ashton, say another word

shock flickering through

that Whitney married a mysterious

assumed he was one

Whitney had not only married the renowned Ludwik Lippert but had also captured his heart. Thinking of Elaine, Valerie felt a

downstairs, Ashton left

stood smoking in the night. Nolan looked at Ludwik’s dark

at the gala. I was shocked, Ludwik, Why lie and make met cover for you? I knew

Ludwik’s

suspected something, I mean, with such an ‘excellent sister by your side,

you didn’t think to warn me?” Ludwik’s voice was

complaining inwardly. “Who dares to confront you about lying to your wife, Ludwik

“Why didn’t you tell Whitney the truth

and me are complex. Whitney doesn’t even know who I am.

male pride, now

shook his head. “Then did you

refused to listen to my

vadjamad

his glasses, chucking Do you think Ludwik is the type

chilling

mix of sympathy and exasperation. “You know, Whitney isn’t entirely wrong