Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 167

“At first, I kept it from you because I didn’t want you to feel obliged to marry me out of some debt for saving your life. I have my pride. Then Whitney suddenly turned up, pregnant with your child, and I felt even less able to reveal the truth… I decided to let go of our connection, and out of jealousy. I wasn’t kind to Whitney. I deeply regret it now” she confessed, her voice a mix of remorse and vulnerability.

“I never planned to tell you, even as I left Banyan City. But today, I’m scared that if I don’t come clean about this secret, I might die without ever having the chance.”

Elaine edged closer to him, her eyes clear and pitifully earnest. Tve always loved you deeply. Four years ago, I rescued you without a second thought, and four years later, I donated a kidney to save Natalie. I did it all willingly, Ludwik. You don’t owe me anything I just hope you can feel the sincerity of my feelings, that would be enough for me to die without regrets.”

Ludwik looked at her, his insides churning with emotion.

He had searched the world for a girl who, it turned out, had always been by his side, silent and unnoticed.

His eyes, swirling with deep emotion, landed on Elaine. It seemed she had always been sacrificing for him,

always.

Elaine watched him, touched and torn, her gaze softening at the memory of her life–saving act four years prior.

She knew she had succeeded in her ruse. To present this half–truth, to masquerade as Whitney, she had rehearsed countless justifications.

Perfect. He would believe her, especially now in his vulnerable state, and especially after she had donated a kidney to his mother

This was the perfect timing her mother had spoken of!

Elaine’s internal laughter was carefully concealed.

“Mom?” Suddenly, a breathless, pale voice came from the doorway.

Whitney, barely hanging on, had made her way here, and upon entering, she saw Ludwik embracing Elaine.

Her brows furrowed in unease, her gaze involuntarily drifting to the other hospital bed–Natalie!

his icy, chiseled

and shattered her

as she entered, the cold stares

and weak, Whitney had come straight to Banyan City after being rescued from the mountains. A visit to the police station revealed her uncle’s

told by the

hospital.

here? Why was it so quiet?

wondered, thinking Ludwik must be furious about the

his anger. She reassured herself firmly as she

and with one swift move, he pulled Whitney away, sending her

her face whitening as she clutched her

to show your face here, Whitney?” Elaine’s voice trembled with feigned weakness. “Do you realize that Natalie is now

her thoughts into a blur. Tears welled

was steady, her pulse normal.

the cruel one?” Elaine’s voice was filled with feigned Indignation. “You and your uncle planned to harm Ludwik. That’s why you kidnapped Natalie! When I heard, I rushed to find her,

and fetched her phone, handing it to Ludwik.

hand was cold as ice as he

clothes to insert needles into her stomach. Her mother suddenly vomited

stopped abruptly!

shattered like ice as he

Elaine incredulously. Elaine had been lying in wait before her appearance, secretly recording

it was edited

I was just giving Mom acupuncture; she said she had a pancreatic attack. I was helping her with the pain. After she spat the blood, she immediately felt

face with

the impact, and she stumbled back against the

presence like a shadowy cage, the chill from the depths

with a bitter laugh, “You know acupuncture, so you claim to know medicine? Didn’t I ask you once before? How did

The Imperial Gem Corporation? If you couldn’t have it,

her acupuncture, and she just spits blood and gets