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.

her name and to reveal Elaine’s venomous nature to Ludwik. Only then could she hope

narrowed her eyes. “Don’t get in my way, Elaine. If Ludwik’s condition worsens because you can’t treat him, your true

face was a stormy canvas.

a nerve. Despite Elaine’s efforts, including secretly consulting top

“This will help him

eyes. “But Ludwik loathes you. He won’t let you in.”

As long as you can endure me sharing his bed every night while you’re

Whitney’s hand marking

you lost your mind?” Elaine gasped, her face a mix of disbelief

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

froze on her reddened cheek.

forgiving mood.

how I deal with you. I’ve

unfazed, replied, “Do your worst. A barefoot person has nothing to lose.”

night then. There’s a

laughter trailed behind her as she entered

and bright as before,

in their former master bedroom switch on. Through the sheer curtains, she saw Ludwik’s tall silhouette, and beside him, the delicate shadow of

sharing the same bed night after

dug into

be? Was Ludwik

Whitney as she

the master bedroom.

by the window, his gaze as cold and deep as the

perceiving Whitney’s stare from below, deliberately stood close behind Ludwik, their shadows

vicious satisfaction flickered within her.

Whitney’s belongings, Elaine feigned sympathy. “Ludwik, I had no idea this was your sanctuary with her. I liked

need for medical equipment, Ludwik said, “They say you need extra care at night. Stay

you

darkened. “What use are such memories? They’re a

staff to throw her things