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-"

snacks, "Danny's asleep, right? Come

night was deep, and he could almost predict that the next moment would take him back to

urgency, he felt

wine glass and stood up, draping his suit jacket gently

an emergency international meeting at the

international meeting

was avoiding their marital duties,

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

Skye Gem Ltd., I'll be back at Skyfaith Electronic Tech to be your right-hand woman." Her

still wanted Skye Gem

say much, as it was

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

do care for me, Ludwik-" Elaine's smile bloomed with sweetness, and she cheerfully

his sports car and sped off into

of the streets cast deep shadows across his face, adding

couldn't be

an itch in his teeth. He needed to

voice cold, "Find me some clean

startled awake, sounded

mean you want me to find women for you?

was sensitive, and Ludwik, known for his austerity,

barked, "Hurry up,

the earpiece out, driving

his phone

answered,

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 caught off guard; over the

expression darkened, "Felix

If you want to

what they say, that you and Elaine have marital issues? Ludwik I heard Whitney's back tonight, are you emotionally affected..." "Are you finding them or not? If not, get lost." Ludwik hung up with a

the other end, Nolan glanced at Parker, who was staring back through his thick glasses, "Should we

One Club." Parker took

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

little nephew-they weren't even allowed

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

were others... like

a flash of unnamed emotion passing through. He couldn't understand why that woman had suddenly developed such a deep hatred, avoiding all contact. Had

had saved Parker that fateful night years ago never did sit well with him