Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 191

She put down her phone expressionlessly and leaned against the headboard, gently cradling her still stomach. Despite her exhaustion, sleep eluded her.

Her eyelids drooped, and as she listened to his uneven breathing, Whitney stared blankly at him.

At some point, Ludwik’s large hand found its way to the edge of her stomach.

It was probably just an instinctive motion in his sleep.

A pang hit Whitney’s heart as she gazed at his face, surprisingly tender under the soft light, and a wave of uncertainty softened her.

Maybe it was only in his dreams that he could let go of his hatred for her, only then remembering they were expecting a child.

When awake, he didn’t want the child at all.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she cautiously stroked his hair, her movements slight and ambivalent. “Ludwik, I can’t fathom your heart. I don’t know what you’re thinking. Do you despise me to the bone, or is there a sliver of space for me? In your sleep, without malice, you fill me with a flicker of hope…” Exhausted, her words trailed off, and she collapsed onto the bed.

Ludwik awoke amid a softness he recognized, surrounded by her scent and tenderness.

He had slept surprisingly well. Opening his eyes, he found himself curled up in her arms.

His cheek against her belly, he could hear the faint stirrings of the little one inside.

His handsome face froze for a moment, filled with a chilling detachment that quickly blended with unguarded tenderness and longing.

He looked up to see her pallid face, bruised at the neck and arms.

Ludwik lifted her shirt, eyeing the tortured marks on her pale waist, his gaze impenetrable.

Suddenly, she stirred slightly. His quickly let her shirt fall back into place.

Whitney slowly came to, and the first thing she saw was his piercing eyes, contemplating her in silence.

The air grew still, and he quickly moved to the headboard, lighting up a cigarette, his profile etched with post–coital devilry. Despite not wanting to recall last night, Whitney’s cheeks flushed at the sight of his exposed torso.

“You look quite taken. Do I please you more than Bryce did?” Ludwik sneered, misinterpreting her blush.

Whitney felt as if doused in cold water. Last night could have been chalked up to his unmedicated frenzy. But this morning, was he still drunk?

Or had he returned to his demonic self, needing to mock her to kickstart his day in good spirits?

Her hands trembled with the effort not to lash out, as she quickly got dressed.

Chapter

ash from his cigarette and hooked her chin, yesterday’s afterglow still on her face, a soft blush framing her delicate

His

from her neckline, igniting a fire

could react, he pulled her back

bastard, Ludwik! Let go of me. Last night,

their deal sent his anger

his own scent intoxicating him, his words dripping with cold sarcasm. “You think one time is

staggered at

warmth from his sleep, which she clung

were dreams, and the harsh reality was the cold–hearted man he became when he awoke. She sought his heart, but he turned their relationship into a stark transaction. He knew

was hollow. “Please, don’t hurt our child.

face darkening, then continued.

www

turned away, dressing with his back

breathe, her petite face ashen, sweat beading

elegant shirt cloaked his brutishness as he regained his composure. Turning, his

her brows. “I can’t move.

touched

the covers. “I left you with just enough energy to

ruthlessness, she wanted to smother him with pillows, but she forced herself up,

the kitchen, even in an apartment,

fridge held only a few basic ingredients.

lips were white, she managed to

so she ate half before he emerged

on the stairwell, watched her silently,

he loathed himself for being with her

night’s excuses were illness, drunken

Chapter 181

morning, sober, he was supposed to despise her, with no room

night’s passion led to another loss of

couldn’t know, so he lashed out verbally, reducing it to

found no joy in

himself, he cycled through

a heaviness settled in

control. He didn’t

Lippert staring fixedly at the kitchen,