Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 264

Ludwik paused for a moment before curling his lips into a smile, "Really now?"

He watched as his son tiptoed to climb into bed, a surprising change from his usual reluctance to sleep in his own room. "Maybe he's suddenly matured," Ludwik thought, feeling a sense of pride mixed with the weariness of a seasoned parent.

The sweet call of "Daddy" echoed in his mind, and Ludwik felt that the past three years hadn't been in vain. He picked up his son's scattered sports jersey from the floor. Suddenly, a small bottle fell out of the pocket. Ludwik squinted at it in the light: an asthma inhaler?

Elaine noticed it too, her eyes flashing with concern, "Ludwik, what is Danny hiding? Why would he have an asthma inhaler with him?"

Ludwik was just as puzzled. He didn't dwell on it, placing the inhaler on a shelf, "I'll go ask him."

The man hurriedly left the bathroom, leaving Elaine with a heavy feeling in her chest. It seemed he didn't want to stay by her side, but he was all too indulgent with that little brat. She had nearly blown her cover tonight and, for the first time, hadn't managed to get her way with the little guy...

How had he suddenly gotten so cunning?

The thought left her fuming. Elaine turned back to the inhaler, her gaze darkening... How strange, whose could it be?

Without a second thought, she tossed the inhaler into the trash.

-

In the children's room, a small lamp was aglow.

Moonlight streamed in through the large bay window, bathing the room in a serene light.

The little one in bed was already fast asleep, cheeks rosy with youth.

Ludwik tucked his son in and sat by the bed as the maid quietly brought in a bottle of red wine.

He poured himself a glass and sipped it slowly, his gaze deepening as he watched his son's face.

Danny's features were so much like Whitney's... especially tonight, with his sweet, obedient manner, he was the spitting image of that woman.

Thinking of her lit a fire in Ludwik's chest.

Had it not been for her games, would he and Elaine have fought tonight?

Dammit, what on earth was wrong with his own body...

"Ludwik-"

holding a tray of late-night snacks, "Danny's asleep, right? Come and have something to

and he could almost predict that the next moment would

felt a

and stood up, draping his suit jacket gently over

at the office. I'll have to

international meeting

was avoiding their marital duties, but she had been pushing too

of alienating him, especially with Whitney's return, she had

a handle on Skye Gem Ltd., I'll be back at

still wanted Skye

say much, as it was already promised

spoke tenderly, "I'll arrange everything for you. As for Skyfaith, don't overwork yourself. Just be the content Mrs.

Elaine's smile bloomed with

his sports car and sped off into the

deep shadows across his face, adding to his brooding look and the hint of

with Elaine couldn't be

the bathroom incident... Ludwik felt an itch in his teeth. He needed to find out if there was truly

a moment, he dialed Felix's number, his voice cold, "Find me some clean women from

startled awake,

me to find women for you? What-what are you planning to

topic was sensitive, and Ludwik, known for his austerity, felt

barked, "Hurry

earpiece out, driving on in

phone

he answered, "What

you need club women for? Does Elaine know about this? I can find them, but I'm afraid of getting hit by the Bartels family of Emperor City," Nolan's nagging voice came through. Ludwik was

expression darkened,

If

issues? Ludwik I heard Whitney's back tonight, are you emotionally affected..." "Are

glanced at Parker, who was staring back through his thick glasses, "Should we really

One Club." Parker took a

changed, and Ludwik had become a recluse, focused solely on work and

even allowed

felt a premonition that Ludwik would slowly reconnect with

were others... like

deep hatred, avoiding all contact. Had he offended her? "Alaric, why are you hiding out here?" Endora

his throat with a hint of disdain. The woman who had saved Parker that fateful night years ago never did sit well with him and his brothers. Hearing that she was