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,

surged from his skull to his limbs, a clear sign of a fevered affliction pressing on

of a stranger

He had injured her arm as well, giving her

her healer’s heart, she had stayed with him through the night, treating his condition

of medical needles Elaine had left on the table. Selecting a silver needle, she aimed for a pressure

afraid, L. I’m healing you.

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Chapter

hum a lullaby, delicate and soft.

barren corners of Ludwik’s heart, bringing solace

brow relaxed, and he slowly wrapped his cold hand around hers, gradually closing his

you that night, he realized, as the melody confirmed his suspicions.

sleep right there on her lap, his hand still holding her wrist and resting across her belly, reminiscent of a father’s hand feeling for the

baby kicked

welled up as she continued with the treatment, whispering softly, “Baby, your daddy’s right here, but he’s sick. Mommy’s healing him. Be good, okay?

now lay the life within her,

bit her lip, a bitter taste in

sleeping man seemed to hear her murmurs. His hand left her wrist and found its way to her swollen belly, where he felt the gentle movements of the

child was precious. “L, do you feel that? It’s grown so much. Will you still

trembling body

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

he mistook

love is too high,” she whispered, feeling

hope you get well, to smile

as she looked down at

could never have enough when I was a

and slipped

his skin, and finally, it dropped. Whitney’s pale hand covered her mouth tightly,

by your side, to bear this child and bring you warmth. It was her dying wish, and I will fulfill

tears, Whitney picked up the needle and refocused on the

she placed more needles into his pressure

unit, there

enough to see through the

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

the hallway outside ended, and the Lippert family