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,

to his limbs, a clear sign of a fevered affliction pressing on his nerves, causing unbearable pain and a violent tendency to lash out in an attempt to

to that of a stranger she had treated

couldn’t see his face clearly. He had injured her arm as

heart, she had stayed with him through the night, treating

up the pack of medical needles Elaine had left on the table.

a soft voice. “Don’t be afraid, L. I’m healing you. Just imagine you’re lying

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she began to hum a lullaby,

barren corners of

he slowly wrapped his cold hand around hers,

was you that night, he realized, as the melody

her wrist and resting across her

baby kicked

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 accept

her, a life she was

bitter taste in her mouth.

and found its way to her swollen belly, where he

and their child was precious. “L, do

in pain, his trembling body seeking

as if it were a

his delirium, he mistook her for his mother.

cost of love is too high,” she whispered,

get well, to smile

silver needle, as she looked down at his pained and handsome

used to make, I could

turned his head and slipped into a peaceful sleep.

it dropped. Whitney’s pale hand covered her mouth tightly, muffling the broken whispers, “I’m sorry, Ludwik.”

feel responsible. I promised her, to stay by your side, to bear this child and bring you warmth. It was her dying wish, and I will fulfill it…”

the needle and refocused on the

placed more needles into his pressure points, Ludwik’s violent state

intensive care unit, there were two

by the main door, close enough to see through the small window, listening enviously to the conversations between Whitney and Ludwik

sleep, her heart eased. Whitney’s treatment was working. She clenched

hallway outside ended, and the Lippert