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.

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

furrowed, knowing women prized cleanliness. He couldn’t

heading for the bathroom, and at that moment, Elaine shot Lyra a knowing look. Lyra smirked knowingly, taking the nurse with her

Chapter 202

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

her hands softly caressing his shirt while her

for a moment, his natural inclination to refuse, “Elaine, you’re hurt. You need to

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 know

conveyed her innocence, a

palpable as her lips quivered against his adam’s apple.

her away, an instinctual rejection in

was Whitney’s face and voice.

conflicted, he held Elaine’s wrist tightly, coughing as he made an excuse, “Elaine, I’m not ready yet. All this time, I’ve

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

guilt-she had donated a kidney for

but the date

thought about being intimate with Elaine.

and he could only hold her shoulders, consoling softly, “How could I

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

and soul.”

Stop this nonsense.” Ludwik pushed her away as if she were a hot

seemed relieved to have an excuse to leave her, heading for the door,

hanging up, Ludwik turned to Elaine, “There’s a new lead in the case of my mother’s kidnapping. I have to head to the station. Don’t wait up for me tonight.”

filled with resentment, shifted subtly.

control, and though Ludwik never gave up the search, he was unlikely

call him? Parker wasn’t like Ashton, who was under her thumb, nor was he as straightforward as

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Chapter 202