Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 202

Master Bedroom, Second Floor.

Ludwik lifted Elaine’s leg gently, applying ointment to the slight injury she had sustained.

His rough hands grazed her skin, and she couldn’t help but shiver at the touch, feeling a heat that seemed to radiate from his palm.

Ludwik carried an air of post–adventure nonchalance about him, a lazy devilish charm that was hard to miss.

Elaine longed for his attention, yet she was also green with envy. She couldn’t help but probe, “Ludwik, what happened earlier? Why did you leave me at the party with Whitney and come back early? You were downstairs in the den for so long… were you with her?”

Ludwik finished bandaging her leg with gentle precision, skirting around the heart of her query, “Elaine, don’t overthink things.”

“How can I not?” she snapped, jealousy burning within her. His non–denial was as good as a confession–they had been together again.

She suppressed her anger, putting on a pitiable face as she flung her arms around him, her voice breaking, “Ludwik, remember? You promised we’d get engaged by the end of the month, and my birthday is only ten days away. You’re still entangled with her, and I’m scared. Please, can you finalize the divorce with Whitney? I don’t want our engagement to be tainted.”

Ludwik frowned suddenly. The engagement at the end of the month was a spur–of–the–moment promise, fueled by Whitney’s indifference that had irked him.

He hadn’t given it much thought, nor did he realize Elaine’s birthday was so close.

Like waking from a dream, Ludwik pinched the bridge of his nose, his mood turning irritable as he brushed off the topic, “I’ll take care of it.”

He distanced himself from Elaine slightly, “Elaine, you can’t bathe tonight either. Take your medicine and get some rest early…”

But Elaine didn’t miss the hesitation in his voice, and his avoidance of the engagement topic. Her mom was right; he was infatuated with that harlot Whitney, unwilling to put it in black and white and finalize their separation.

She had to shift his affections to herself.

Ludwik had always been a one–woman man, except for that one indiscretion. She was convinced that if he had a few more encounters, he’d lose that foolish obsession.

fragile card as she stumbled into his arms, “Ludwik, I can’t sleep if I don’t feel clean. Could you help me to the bathroom

prized cleanliness. He couldn’t fault

Elaine shot Lyra a knowing

Chapter 202

intending to call the maid to assist her, but before he could

stiffened slightly. Elaine’s lithe figure pressed against his back, her hands softly caressing his shirt while her voice was sultry and coaxing, “Ludwik, stay

his natural inclination to

isn’t a trivial matter, Ludwik, Elaine countered, stepping in front of him with doe eyes that were soft and pleading, her breath warm against his collarbone, “We’re going to be like this one day, right? I’ve never been with a man before, I don’t

conveyed her innocence, a stark contrast to Whitney’s

as her lips quivered

pushed her away, an instinctual rejection

was Whitney’s face

made an excuse, “Elaine, I’m not ready yet. All this time, I’ve thought of you more like a sister.”

defiance. Yet she quickly said, “Ludwik, is it because you despise my body? I

stung Ludwik with guilt-she had

but

he thought about

hold her shoulders, consoling softly, “How could I despise you? In my eyes, you’re

softening as she wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering, “Then let’s try it, Ludwik. We’re getting engaged soon anyway, and

and soul.”

pushed her away as if she were a hot potato.

an excuse to leave her, heading for the door, “Parker?

a new lead in the case of my mother’s kidnapping. I have to head to the station.

been filled with

the kidnapping case at the police station was under control, and though

thumb, nor was he as straightforward as

2/3

12:28

Chapter 202