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-"

"Danny's asleep, right? Come and have something to eat; I made it just for you." Ludwik looked at her cool attire but felt no surge

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

he felt a repulsion

man set down his wine glass and stood up, draping his suit

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

meeting at

suspected he was avoiding their marital duties, but she had been

especially with Whitney's return,

"I hate to see you so tired, Ludwik. Once I get a handle on Skye Gem Ltd., I'll be back at

wanted Skye

as it

for you. As for Skyfaith, don't overwork yourself. Just be the

smile bloomed with sweetness, and she cheerfully saw him

into his sports car

face, adding to his brooding look and the hint

with Elaine couldn't be

back to the bathroom incident... Ludwik felt an itch in his teeth. He needed to

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

awake, sounded

find women for you? What-what are you

sensitive, and Ludwik, known for

"Hurry up,

ripped the earpiece out, driving on

his phone rang

answered, "What

by the Bartels family of Emperor City," Nolan's nagging voice

darkened, "Felix

club contacts? If you

Elaine have marital issues? Ludwik I heard Whitney's back tonight, are

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

Parker took a swig of

Ludwik had become a

nephew-they weren't even allowed to lay eyes

Whitney returned, Parker felt a premonition

then there were

flash of unnamed emotion passing 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

did sit well with him and his brothers. Hearing that she was Tiana's cousin only added to