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-"

the door to the children's room, her figure draped in a seductive slip dress, holding a tray of late-night snacks, "Danny's asleep, right? Come and have something to eat;

night was deep, and he could almost predict that the next

urgency, he felt a

glass and stood up, draping his suit

found an excuse, "There's an emergency international meeting at the office.

meeting

marital duties, but she had been

Whitney's return, she had to secure this

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

still wanted Skye

much, as it was already promised to

you. As for Skyfaith, don't overwork

me, Ludwik-" Elaine's smile bloomed

into his sports car and sped off into

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

with Elaine couldn't be delayed any

felt an itch in his teeth. He needed to find out if there was truly something wrong with his

number, his voice cold, "Find

startled awake, sounded

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

was sensitive, and Ludwik, known for his austerity,

barked, "Hurry up,

out, driving on in

his phone rang

he answered, "What

know about this? I can find them, but I'm afraid of getting hit by the Bartels family of Emperor City," Nolan's

expression darkened, "Felix contacted

would Felix get club contacts? If you want to play, you need

issues? Ludwik I heard Whitney's back tonight, are you emotionally affected..." "Are you finding them or not? If not,

was staring back through his thick glasses, "Should we really find

Royal One Club." Parker took a swig of vodka, noting Ludwik hadn't set foot there in

many had changed, and Ludwik had become a recluse, focused solely

nephew-they weren't even allowed

Whitney returned, Parker felt a premonition that Ludwik would slowly reconnect

there were others...

through. He couldn't understand why that woman had suddenly developed such a deep hatred, avoiding all contact. Had he offended her? "Alaric, why are you hiding out here?" Endora slinked over, her waist supple as

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 Tiana's cousin only