Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 180

Whitney knew the bitter truth – Ludwik didn’t trust her anymore. Her belated affection was lighter than air in

his eyes.

“Elaine, come in!” Ludwik called from the living room doorway.

“Ludwik, wait, let me have a word with Ms. Valentine,” Elaine said, approaching Whitney with a hypocritical

smile,

The living room door closed with a click, and Elaine’s facade immediately darkened, her voice dripping with malice in the dead of night.

“You see, Ludwik swallows every word I say, while he can’t stand the sight of you. Did you hear that? We’re getting engaged! That’s why he’s in a rush to divorce you and kick you out. Don’t you get it?

Clutching at straws to win him back even though you’re staring down a police investigation for that kidnapping? Maybe a few years behind bars will teach you to stay in your lane.”

As Elaine reached for her phone to make good on her threat, Whitney slapped it out of her hand and followed with a stinging slap across Elaine’s face.

No more words were wasted.

Elaine, caught off–guard, clutched her reddening cheek, unprepared for Whitney’s sudden lash out.

“How dare you hit me? You wretch!”

Whitney replied calmly, “I’d think twice about framing me. The deeper the police dig into that kidnapping, the more your dirty secrets will come to light.”

Elaine’s face turned ashen.

Whitney’s smirk grew colder. “You’d best make sure the police keep me out of it.”

“This slap is for the night you stepped on my child, causing it distress!”

As for the rest, Whitney would repay in time.

reveal Elaine’s venomous nature to Ludwik. Only

get in my way, Elaine. If Ludwik’s condition worsens because you can’t

face was a stormy

had hit a nerve. Despite Elaine’s efforts, including secretly consulting top foreign psychiatrists, Ludwik’s insomnia persisted.

medicine. “This will help

hatred flickering in her eyes. “But Ludwik loathes you.

house. As long as you can endure me sharing his bed every night while you’re left out in the cold with your bastard child,

slap echoed, Whitney’s hand marking Elaine’s other cheek.

mind?” Elaine gasped, her face a mix of disbelief and

don’t mind adding to my list of sins. Cry too much, and you’ll

on

was not in a forgiving mood. A smart woman wouldn’t whine.

“You’ll see how I deal with you. I’ve

“Do your worst. A barefoot

the cold night then. There’s a

behind her as she

as before, but

on. Through the sheer curtains, she saw Ludwik’s tall silhouette, and beside him,

sharing the same bed night after night…

dug into her palms.

Ludwik really with her tonight?

engulfed Whitney as she watched.

the master bedroom.

by the window, his gaze as cold and deep as

stood close behind Ludwik, their

vicious satisfaction flickered within her.

sanctuary with her. I liked the room, but if

affluent background and her need for medical equipment, Ludwik said, “They say you need extra

these are memories of you and her,”

darkened. “What use are

the staff to