Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 197

As the hospital’s surveillance mysteriously gone, Ludwik’s sharp gaze met Elaine’s. “You know, the night I had that hysterical episode, you cured my insomnia. I slept like a log and was clear-headed the next day. But last week in Amoria Country, you seemed to lose your touch. And there’s something odd-next to Whitney, I always drift off without a hitch. Why is that?”

Elaine’s heart skipped a beat. That night, it was Whitney by his side. Was he suggesting that with Whitney present, he could sleep again?

Damn it.

Perhaps it was because Whitney had once saved Ludwik four years ago, creating a dependency in him for her presence to sleep.

Ludwik rubbed his brow. “I don’t mean anything by it, just that your treatments for me are hit or miss.”

“Ludwik!” Elaine’s hand tightened within her sleeve, feigning calmness with a pained expression. “You’re being unfair. Insomnia is a global puzzle that remains unsolved. I’m glad I can sometimes help you find rest. If not, it might be due to your mood that day. I’m looking into your insomnia, you mentioned Whitney helps you sleep, right?”

His eyes shifted as he nodded. It was indeed peculiar, Whitney wasn’t the girl who had saved him four years ago. Elaine was, yet he didn’t seem to have the same instinctual reliance on her.

Watching his eyes change, Elaine felt a chill. With veiled meaning, she said, “Remember, Ludwik, Whitney came to you with a purpose. She’s got to find ways to endear herself to you, earn your trust. What if she’s using some method to make you sleep?”

Ludwik froze on her words.

Elaine quickly added, “She claimed to be skilled in acupuncture, didn’t she? You don’t know, but there are some dubious practices in traditional medicine-techniques I would never use on you. But her?

That’s not so certain.”

She insinuated, “I’m not speculating maliciously, but if she can stoop to taking photos to humiliate me, think about it, is she really that innocent?”

She purposely brought up the photo incident, knowing Ludwik was aware of Whitney’s wrongdoing. His expression darkened. “You said you wanted to observe my hysteria, but Whitney’s been medicating me. Seems to help a bit,” he admitted.

Elaine’s heart clenched, but she maintained a composed, bitter smile. “If you find her medicine helpful, that’s good to hear. Each person’s treatments differ. Maybe you can show it to me? I suspect it’s something to boost vitality.”

She inwardly scorned, Whitney’s medicine was nothing but a supplement.

Ludwik, not versed in medicine, shook his head. “I’ve already taken today’s dose.”

knowing she needed to get her hands on

Ludwik seemed to doubt whether it was Elaine who had saved him that night, as she

had to play her card. “Ludwik, I saved you four years ago. I am

he shouldn’t doubt her. Whitney’s medicine might

the subject. “You should eat

you just accused me of, I’d like you to feed me.” Elaine’s relief was palpable as she cooed shyly.

He scooped up a

lips parted invitingly. She intentionally let a drop spill on her lips, “Oops… I

turned to grab a wet wipe, but Elaine caught his thumb, drawing

gesture.

He stiffened.

stuck out her tongue innocently, “Sorry, Ludwik! Growing up by my mother’s side, I got used

intentional, leaned in to clean her up,

it.”

awkwardly close, and Ludwik’s towering

his enticing scent, Elaine’s cheeks

then, the door to the

a large bag, walked

1

back to her, he seemed to be embracing Elaine, perhaps even

arm, Elaine’s mouth curled into a cold smile, her voice weak, “Ms. Valentine,

arrived.”

Whitney, his hand instinctively

he

you want me for?” Whitney asked, trying to ignore the

their interaction.

his anger towards Whitney, his tone dropping colder, “You intentionally upset Elaine into the hospital. Why take that kind

Elaine’s drama on her way over. But she didn’t expect such a performance, Elaine lying in the hospital, commanding his

why should

sarcasm, faced the