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,

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

eerily similar to that of a

his face clearly. He had injured her arm as well, giving her a fair share

by her healer’s heart, she had stayed with him through

they could work for Ludwik too. After assessing his condition, she picked up the pack of medical needles Elaine had left on the table. Selecting a silver needle, she aimed for a pressure point at

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

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hum a lullaby, delicate and soft.

seeping into the barren

and he slowly wrapped his cold hand around hers,

it was you that night, he realized, as the

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

baby kicked

Be good, okay? Once he’s better, in a few months when you’re born, he’ll be

within her, a life she

lip, a bitter taste in her

her wrist and found its way to her swollen belly, where he felt the gentle movements of the little one

him and their child was precious. “L, do you feel that? It’s grown so much. Will you still love this child?”

trembling body seeking warmth even in his vulnerable

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

he mistook her for his mother.

she whispered, feeling a chill

to

silver needle, as she looked

used to make, I could never have enough when I was a child….

and slipped into a

Whitney’s pale

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

her tears, Whitney picked up the needle and refocused on the

she placed more needles into his pressure points,

unit, there were

through the small window,

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

midnight approached, the confrontation in the hallway outside ended, and the Lippert family