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!

turned his icy, chiseled features

his gaze pierced and

she entered, the cold stares from

after being rescued from the mountains. A visit to the police station revealed

to the villa, she was told by the security staff

hospital.

what on earth was happening here? Why was it

She wondered, thinking Ludwik must be furious about

to take his anger. She reassured herself firmly as

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

face whitening as she clutched her stomach, narrowly avoiding hitting

Elaine’s voice trembled with feigned weakness. “Do

sharp pain stirring her thoughts into a blur. Tears welled up and fell unbidden as she scrambled

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

Ludwik. That’s why you kidnapped Natalie! When I heard, I rushed to find her, but I arrived to see you holding her hostage, doing

and fetched her phone, handing it

ice as he

into her stomach.

stopped abruptly!

shattered like ice as he turned his chilling

lying in wait

edited out

desperately to explain to Ludwik, “It’s a setup by Elaine. She only recorded a part on purpose. I was just giving Mom acupuncture; she said she had a pancreatic attack. I was helping her with the pain. After she

Whitney’s face

swelled red from the impact, and

his presence like a shadowy cage, the chill from the depths of hell enveloping

so you claim to know medicine? Didn’t I ask you once before? How did you respond? You said you did not

now. You’ve been lurking around me and my mother, seeking what? The Imperial Gem Corporation? If you couldn’t have it, you’d rather

and pitiful, you give her acupuncture, and she just spits blood and gets better?