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-"

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; I made

night was deep, and he could almost predict that

he felt

his wine glass and stood up, draping his suit jacket gently over

he found an excuse, "There's an emergency international meeting at the office. I'll have to skip the snacks; I need to

international meeting

duties, but she had been pushing too hard

of alienating him, especially with Whitney's return, she had to secure this man with

on Skye Gem Ltd., I'll be back

still wanted

it was already promised

softened, and he spoke tenderly, "I'll arrange everything for you.

me, Ludwik-" Elaine's smile bloomed with

into his sports car and sped

face, adding to

intimacy with Elaine couldn't

his teeth. He needed to find out if

voice cold, "Find me some

startled awake, sounded

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

The topic was sensitive, and

"Hurry

the earpiece out, driving on in

phone rang

he answered, "What

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 caught off guard; over the past three years,

expression darkened, "Felix contacted

get club contacts? If you want to

mystery, "Is it true what they say, that you and Elaine have marital issues? Ludwik I heard Whitney's back tonight, are you emotionally affected..." "Are you finding

Nolan glanced at Parker, who was staring back through his thick

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

had become a recluse, focused solely on work

weren't even allowed

felt a premonition that Ludwik would slowly

were

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

never did sit well with him and his