Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 172

Whitney had rushed to Ludwik’s side upon hearing his anguished cries, her concern for him propelling her

forward

But as she reached the door, Elaine shoved her inside and quickly shut it behind her. Leaning against the door, Whitney caught her breath and studied Ludwik closely.

He was in the throes of self–harm, dragging shards of porcelain across his arm, likely trying to distract himself from the searing pain in his head.

“Ludwik, stop it! You can’t do this to yourself! Let me help you ease the pain, please?” Whitney implored, rushing to his side.

His eyes were bloodshot, no longer recognizing her. Instinctively, he lashed out, driving the sharp shard toward

her arm

Her skin was instantly beaded with droplets of crimson, Gritting her teeth against the pain, Whitney managed a tender, pained smile. “At least you didn’t go for my belly”

1 need to get out!” Ludwik muttered, half–delirious as he pushed past her.

He must’ve realized who was on the other side of the door.

“You can’t go out there; you can’t let them get the upper hand, ruin your life. Your father… he wants to lock you up in an asylum,” Whitney said, her voice thick with urgency as she wrapped her arms around him, her eyes brimming with pity.

His forehead was a map of bulging veins, his gaze filled with extreme agony and fear- a remnant of some childhood trauma. He shook his head helplessly, turning to embrace her. “I don’t want to go there. Please, save

me.”

“Elaine, there must be something you can do. I need to get better fast… to stand up to them!” His words were broken, forced out between waves of pain.

The mention of “Elaine‘ left Whitney frozen, tears streaming down her face.

But she had no time to be sad, no time for jealousy over his trust in Elaine. She would not stand by and watch him crumble, let the Lippert family kick him when he was down. She would cure him; she had to believe she

could.

“Leave it to me. L. Give me your hand,” Whitney called to him, her voice a gentle caress through her tears.

His rage seemed to subside at the sound of her voice, and he slowly calmed down, slumping to the ground and extending his muscular arm toward her,

clear sign of a fevered affliction pressing on his nerves, causing unbearable pain and a violent

was eerily similar to that of a stranger she had treated years

He had injured her arm as

stayed with him through the night, treating his condition and

picked up the pack of medical needles Elaine had left on the

soothed him with a soft voice. “Don’t be afraid, L. I’m healing you. Just imagine you’re lying in a meadow, comfortable and safe. Shall I hum a

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Chapter

hum a lullaby, delicate

seeping into the barren corners of Ludwik’s heart, bringing solace and peace.

slowly wrapped his cold hand around hers, gradually closing

it was you that night, he realized,

still holding her wrist and resting across her belly, reminiscent of a father’s

baby kicked gently.

he’s sick. Mommy’s healing him. Be good, okay? Once he’s better, in a few months when you’re born, he’ll be able to hold you. I hope he’ll

now lay the life within her, a life she was determined to

bit her lip, a bitter taste

man seemed to hear her murmurs. His hand left her wrist and found its way to her swollen

This moment of interaction between him and their child was precious. “L, do you feel that? It’s grown so much. Will you still

furrowed in pain, his trembling body seeking warmth even in his

Whitney’s belly, as if it were a sanctuary of warmth.

delirium, he mistook her for

is too high,” she whispered, feeling a chill

you get well, to smile

as she looked

make, I could never have

slipped into a peaceful sleep.

trembled, unable to puncture his skin, and finally, it dropped. Whitney’s pale hand

her, to stay by your side, to bear this

the needle and refocused on

placed more needles into his pressure points,

care unit, there were two doors.

the main door, close enough to see through the small

that Ludwik was merely talking in his sleep, her heart eased. Whitney’s treatment was working. She

approached, the confrontation in the hallway