Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 242

Ludwik was on the edge, teetering close to a breakdown, clinging to his newborn as his lifeline to sanity.

Despite the fact that the little tyke had been in the incubator for what seemed like an eternity, facing life–threatening complications every other day, Ludwik had exhausted every medical avenue and refused to give up. He was there day in and day out as if possessed while completely ignoring Skyfaith Electronic Tech.

In such a state, Elaine felt as though she had become invisible, unable to even get close.

And the idea of finding a chance to eliminate the bane of her existence was laughably far–fetched.

Finally, after six months, the baby was out of the incubator. Ludwik, with his ragged beard and a touch of despair that made him all the more alluring, cracked a rare smile.

But Elaine was still kept at arm’s length from the child.

Ludwik took the baby to Natalie’s house, where he devoted his nights to solo parenting–nursing, changing diapers, never once asking for help.

Elaine, seeing no other way, gritted her teeth and shifted strategies. The baby was young, just a few months old. If she raised him as her own, surely he would call her ‘mom‘ someday. To avenge Whitney’s death and then have her child call her ‘mom‘ felt like a twisted form of victory.

And it would certainly secure Ludwik’s heart.

By adopting this approach, Elaine did indeed manage to earn a smidgen of trust and favor from the man. She finally felt she could tentatively reach for his heart, which had been sealed away for half a year.

One night, after the weak child had finished his milk and fallen asleep, Elaine sought out Ludwik, who had retreated to his study to bury himself in work. She was determined to have a serious

talk about their future.

Ludwik was detached from everything, but the gentle Elaine approached, bashfully snuggling into his embrace, and whispered, “Ludwik, I can wait for you indefinitely, for a spot in your heart, but I worry. If you continue to shut yourself away, you’re only tormenting yourself.

I can’t bear to see you hurt like this. Please, for Danny’s sake, come out of this. He needs a normal dad and a mom, a complete family. It’s time to let her go. She’s not worth your remembrance, not even your hatred. No mother could be that cruel…”

“You worry too much,” Ludwik closed his file, his profile sharp and expression darkening.

Elaine’s breath hitched, and in a bold move, she kissed his jawline, pleading with infatuated desperation, “If you still harbor hatred and seek revenge, wouldn’t the best way be to fall for another woman, to build a life and find happiness with her? Wouldn’t that be the cruelest

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Chapter 242

comeback?”

dawned on him, Ludwik’s enigmatic gaze landed on Elaine, who was undeniably beautiful. A flash of deep coldness crossed his features.

his throat as she whispered fervently. “I’m worth it. Ludwik. I

his tone. He traced her lips, kissing her with a controlled intensity. “Not loving a good woman like you is a sickness, one I must cure. The best revenge is to fall for you. Let’s

stiff yet unrelenting. Elaine, flushed with success, knew the weight of his words.

two lives

later,

room in a medical

has finally improved, but remember, the after–effects are lifelong. You must

jumping lightly, her voice husky from permanent damage yet sultry. “I understand. And don’t

interrupting your treatment? You’re a miracle worker in our hospital. I heard you’re transferring your

home,” she replied evasively, picking up her boxing gloves and

in resignation. Ms. Valentine had been on death’s door three years ago, right after childbirth. She had worked hard these past years, pushing the limits to climb

returned to her villa.

He was deaf

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Chapter 242

signaled from

though her eyes betrayed

the night before, only settling down at

in bed, his princely features and delicate frame at odds

flicker of coldness crossed her eyes, not wanting to recall how she had managed to nurse him to this state of health in the last three years.

night, she had leaped into the sea, overwhelmed by bitterness, only

helped her find her cousin Yael, both barely

Sammy’s cold–induced asthma and her leg

grandfather’s days and whom she had once sent Simon to find,

his possession were medical books left by Whitney’s mother, and by studying those books, Whitney became known as a miracle acupuncturist, gaining a modest reputation over the past three