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!

word “Mom,” Ludwik turned his

and shattered her with its merciless cold

she entered, the cold stares from

come straight to Banyan City after being rescued from the mountains. A visit to the police

was told by the security staff that Natalie was in the

hospital.

was happening here? Why was it

thinking Ludwik must

anger. She reassured herself

Ludwik’s heavy steps approached, and with one swift move, he

as she clutched her stomach, narrowly avoiding hitting the table’s edge.

Whitney?” Elaine’s voice trembled with feigned

her thoughts into a blur.

her escape, her breathing was steady, her pulse normal. It was

why you kidnapped Natalie! When I heard, I rushed to find her, but I arrived to see you holding her hostage,

fetched her phone, handing

ice as

pitch–dark field, Whitney laid her mother down, lifting her clothes to insert needles into her stomach. Her mother suddenly vomited a mouthful of black blood, her expression one of

stopped

he turned his chilling gaze on

had been lying in wait before her appearance, secretly

was edited

purpose. 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,

struck Whitney’s face with

swelled red from the impact, and she stumbled back against the wall.

a shadowy cage, the chill from the depths of hell

so you claim to know medicine? Didn’t I ask you once

mother, seeking what? The Imperial Gem Corporation? If you couldn’t have it, you’d rather see everything destroyed.

you give her acupuncture, and she just spits blood and gets better? Her kidneys have failed! Now she lies