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.

she had given up

less about the man’s

to be tormented any longer. Then, suddenly, a

tensed; even he feared

rushed down. “Holy smokes, why are you here.

a hand to his forehead, had no choice but to get

chance to kick him away and distanced

to face the imposing Ludwik, a formidable presence that made one’s blood run

cold

an air of rebellion, but even he fell short in

determination and kicked at Ashton, his voice a cold interrogation, “Who gave you the right to wag

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

in my business is looking for

Ludwik was ruthless.

uneasy in the presence

over

Elaine, had looked

time, touching on Whitney had

turned to anger. “Elaine was your fiancée. You’ve fallen

Ludwik said, his voice dropping into a cold rage as he

the night, warning, “Ashton, say another word to Whitney,

through her as she saw

mysterious man of unknown status,

assumed he was one

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

unfolded downstairs, Ashton left in a cold fury.

Ludwik’s side, stood smoking in the night. Nolan looked

I was shocked, Ludwik, Why lie and make met cover for you? I knew Whitney

too?” Ludwik’s

with such an ‘excellent sister by your side, which woman would

you didn’t think to warn me?”

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

wondered, “Why didn’t you tell Whitney the

between Elaine and me are complex. Whitney doesn’t even know who I am. How could I explain? Besides, I didn’t want

pride, now complicating matters.

did you

turmedics. She refused to listen to my explanation, insisting she’s

vadjamad

chucking Do you think Ludwik is the type to coax a woman? Please.”

Ludwa shot a chilling glare, the night deepening

mix of sympathy and exasperation.