Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 182

Ludwik’s gaze was steady, revealing nothing as he accepted the clothes from Elaine, his voice low with

concern. “I worry about you overexerting yourself.”

“It’ll get better with time, the doctor said positivity aids recovery. Just thinking about our future together brings me joy,” Elaine responded, her smile timid as if afraid to fully express her happiness.

Unable to say anything that might dampen her spirits, Ludwik knew the harsh truth–Elaine would have to live with just one kidney, reliant on others for care.

He felt responsible. “Let’s go downstairs.”

“Okay!” Elaine brightened instantly, latching onto his arm.

Wrapped in a crisp white button–down that accentuated his muscular forearms, Ludwik’s broad shoulders and straight back exuded an air of undeniable nobility.

As they approached the staircase, the tantalizing aroma of breakfast wafted from the kitchen.

Ludwik caught a glimpse through the kitchen window of Whitney bustling about. Stray locks framed her fair complexion as she donned an apron, looking every bit like a radiant home chef.

He was transfixed by the domestic scene before him, reminiscent of a wife preparing breakfast for her husband. But their past was irrevocable.

In the next moment, his eyes turned icy. “Why is she in the house? Taryn!”

His roar startled Whitney, who emerged from the kitchen, trying to appear unfazed with a tray of breakfast in hand.

Her first sight was Elaine, clinging intimately to Ludwik’s arm–it was clear they had come out of the guest room together.

Elaine’s glance was sharp, but before she could explain herself, Elaine interjected with a cold smirk, “Ludwik, I woke up in pain last night and saw Taryn sneaking her in. I’m sorry, I felt sorry for her, out in the rain and all, and didn’t tell you. I didn’t expect her to stay overnight.”

Her words were a masterful mix of self–praise for her kindness and an implication of Taryn as the culprit.

“It’s not your fault,” Ludwik scoffed, his disdain for the situation clear.

chill as she realized his mockery was directed at her.

Taryn entered from the back garden, surprised to see

interrogated with a steely voice, “Taryn, did you let her in? Do you

1. stammered, feeling like she was being

quickly

Ludwik, “Taryn was just being kind, offering me an umbrella last night. I threatened her with her kids to let me stay. It’s not her fault; I

heaved

frustration–was Whitney using a scorched earth tactic?

her attempt to

breakfast is

taut, his emotions unreadable as

“You prefer

suddenly reached out, his gaze menacing. “Your health is most important. The

took his hand her eyes gleaming with triumph

watched as the breakfast she had carefully prepared for him was pushed aside for Elaine His care for Elaine was evident, but for Whitney, who

echoed in Whitney’s mind each repetition like a needle piercing

and hardship to come–his anger was

expression, not moving an inch,

this opportunity to

perfectly soft boiled egg. Elaine suddenly gagged, her face turning

Ludwik asked,

played the victim Ludwik, the egg smells too strong for me. Whitney I don’t mean to criticize, but I can’t stomach it.

as he turned to Whitney. “You wanted to stay and care, didn’t you?”

hear her? She doesn’t like it. Make something else”

a final warning. “Keep an eye on her. She’s not

felt numb to his accusations and suspicion,

pill this afternoon!” she reminded him.

Ludwik sneered, utterly

Tm managing Ludwik’s condition, Ms. Valentine. Your concern is unnecessary? Whitney didn’t bother to respond, she had already dissolved a