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.

from leaving, playing the 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 for a

furrowed, knowing women prized cleanliness. He

her in his arms, heading for the bathroom, and at that moment, Elaine shot Lyra a knowing look. Lyra smirked knowingly, taking the nurse with her as they hurried

Chapter 202

maid to assist her, but before he could step out, a soft arm wrapped tightly around his waist,

lithe figure pressed against his back, her hands softly caressing his shirt while her voice was sultry and coaxing,

his natural inclination to

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 know how it works. Don’t despise me for being clumsy,

conveyed her innocence, a stark contrast to Whitney’s reputation.

as her lips quivered against his adam’s apple.

her away, an instinctual rejection in his

of was

as he made an excuse, “Elaine, I’m not ready yet. All this time, I’ve thought

She turned pale, her eyes swimming with sorrow and defiance. Yet she quickly said, “Ludwik, is it because you despise my body? I

with guilt-she had donated a kidney for Natalie.

to engage her, but

had he thought about being intimate

only hold her shoulders, consoling softly, “How could I despise you?

whispering, “Then let’s try it, Ludwik. We’re getting engaged soon anyway, and I want to give myself to you, body

and soul.”

her away as

excuse to leave her, heading for the door, “Parker? No, I’m fine,

turned to Elaine, “There’s a new lead in the case of my

filled with resentment, shifted subtly.

under control, and though Ludwik never gave up the

thumb, nor was he as straightforward as Nolan Fuller. He was a tough

2/3

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Chapter 202