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

the rush?” Ludwik flicked ash from his cigarette and hooked her chin, yesterday’s afterglow still on her face, a soft blush framing her

His

from her neckline, igniting a fire within him that he couldn’t

could react, he pulled her back down.

you doing now? Still drunk? You bastard, Ludwik! Let go of me. Last night, you promised to leave my cousin Yael

their deal sent his anger soaring.

his words dripping with cold sarcasm. “You think one time is enough for a deal? You’re not that

staggered at his

fleeting warmth from his sleep, which she clung

sought his heart, but he turned their relationship into a stark transaction. He knew how to

morning light, and her voice was hollow. “Please, don’t hurt our child. I beg

his face darkening, then continued.

www

hour later, Ludwik turned away, dressing with

to breathe, her petite face ashen,

as he regained his composure. Turning, his gaze coldly

incredulous, furrowed her brows. “I can’t move. If you’re hungry, fend for yourself!”

cautiously touched

he threw back the covers. “I left you with just enough energy to cook. If you want something from me, you’d best do as I

she wanted to smother him with pillows, but she forced herself up, her steps faltering as she

kitchen, even in an apartment, space

only a few

she managed to made some

she needed nutrients, so she ate half before he emerged from

stairwell, watched her silently, his gaze unreadable.

loathed himself for being with her

night’s excuses were illness, drunken

Chapter 181

to despise her,

passion

out

he found

himself, he cycled

she walked, a heaviness

didn’t understand

Lippert staring fixedly at the kitchen, his fists clenched,