Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 174

His kiss was gentle, and Elaine’s pale hands wrapped around Ludwik’s chest, her lips curved in a smile.

Whitney staggered, as if a bucket of ice had been dumped over her from head to toe.

The cookies in her hand was crumpled beyond recognition. Its distorted shape seemed to mock her naivety, to think that a bag of cookies could soften his heart.

Believing that one night could heal and make him look back.

But how could he kiss Elaine? Could affection really shift so swiftly?

From the corner of her eye, Elaine caught a glimpse of Whitney standing by the doorway, pale as frost. Across the distance, Whitney couldn’t possibly hear the murmur of ‘darling‘ that slipped from Ludwik’s lips as he kissed Elaine.

Elaine’s initially somber expression slowly gave way to enjoyment, her embrace around Ludwik’s neck growing more deliberate. Lost in his dream, Ludwik kissed her with a scent of tobacco and antiseptic on his breath, utterly intoxicating.

Elaine blushed, mimicking Whitney’s tender whisper, “L..”

L? Someone had whispered that in his ear last night, too, a gentle voice that comforted him, promising to heal him. But the only one person would call him ‘L‘ was…

A shiver ran through Ludwik’s ears, and he gradually opened his eyes, sensing something was amiss with the

voice.

When his vision cleared, he sharply saw it was Elaine, her cheeks flushed with color.

Ludwik’s brow furrowed, and he quickly pulled away, angered that he’d been dreaming of that other woman, longing for that ‘L‘ His face darkened with self–loathing.

a whisper, “Im sorry, Elaine,

tear threatened, but she quickly suppressed her voice, “It’s okay, Ludwik, you were

into the bed, looking

“Are w

feeling better, Ludwik?” Elaine feigned concern, checking his pulse.

she touched him, weary and worried, Ludwik’s gaze softened. Coming back to his

Did you stay

better,” Ludwik paused, then asked, “Did

hand gently touching her right side as if to remind him of her recent surgery. “Even though I just donated a kidney and the doctors warned me not to move, I wouldn’t hesitate for your sake,

he replied, “Thank

turned to wipe her brow with a tissue.

speak. But Ludwik’s cold question cut

her eyes to

his gaze and swiftly played the understanding card, “Ludwik, are you asking about Whitney? If it would

sigh sealed

about to leave, retreated silently at

previous night–Elaine pushing her into the room

the police station about her uncle causing trouble, his subsequent denial–it was all too suspicious. Now she realized it was a ploy to get

Whitney to treat

another wedge

he scoffed, “I wasn’t ask about her. Don’t mention that woman again.

cookie in her hand, she approached him. As he heard

undeterred, rolled up his sleeve to check his pulse and lifted his eyelid.

from me!”

“I’m here to check on you, I was the one who sat here all night, treating you, not Elaine. She couldn’t cure you, and after promising too much, she panicked and pushed me in to do her