Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 301

But when it came to affairs of the heart, he was rather dense, wasn't he? After all, it had been three years since he'd had any romantic involvement.

So, when she left Jarvis's office that afternoon, she didn't think much of it. Could it be that he didn't believe Endora's explanation and noticed something off about her?

Ludwik's deep, icy gaze was impenetrable, pushing Elaine to clench her fists tighter. He eyed her guilt, leaning in close with his lips pressed thin, "What were you up to last night and this afternoon? I could easily find out with a bit of digging. But I don't want to, because I still trust you."

It was also because, deep down, he seemed indifferent to Elaine's personal life, so much so that he couldn't muster the energy to investigate. He couldn't feel the same jealousy he had three years ago when he was obsessed with Whitney, constantly feeling threatened and keeping tabs on her whereabouts.

His feelings for Elaine were lukewarm at best, and even he couldn't tell if it was gratitude that made him want to marry her, or love. But today, his trust in her had cracked!

Under Elaine's growing anxiety, Ludwik coldly changed the subject, "It seems you're not truly affectionate towards Danny. When he was in the NICU three years ago, you promised to treat him as your own. I believed you. You've been kind and gentle to him all this time. But today, after he was bullied at preschool and you hid it from me, even possibly contributing to it, I can't help but wonder!"

"Ludwik, I didn't! I admit, Danny and I have been butting heads recently, and I've been disappointed, maybe not as devoted as before, but I would never harm him. How could I? I'm too soft-hearted..." Elaine frantically tried to defend herself.

"Whether you did or not, you know the truth."

longer bought her excuses, his anger finally boiling over. He stared at her, deciding, "I've said before, the child is your responsibility. If you can't accept that and fail to bond with him, then you shouldn't

word for it. Danny has issues with me, yes, but are you really

fiancée of the Fuller family should? Lately, you've been keen on meeting up with your girlfriends. If you don't want to move to another villa, maybe you can stay at Endora's for a few days, give us both

then got furious. Unable to contain her anger, she burst out, "We're getting married next month, and now you want space? Ludwik, have you ever truly loved me? Sometimes, I wonder if you see me as nothing more than a free nanny, only showing me affection when I'm good to the

behavior. Since Whitney's

me out of the main house? Ludwik, you've forgotten my condition

she clutched her side in agony and collapsed, Ludwik felt a prick of concern. She'd rarely been this sick in the three years he'd almost

me move out. I was

handed her over to

of the main house. If they weren't under the same roof, how could their relationship

helped Elaine past the living room, her gaze locked with Sammy's on the couch, the boy who had caused trouble between her and Ludwik. She glared, realizing the boy was more cunning than she thought. This wasn't the Danny she knew. Sammy, on the other hand, looked relaxed, as if enjoying the drama he'd stirred. He had heard their fight from outside, knowing Elaine wasn't easy to deal with. Yet, here she was, managing

the trust between her

bed, Whitney received a message through her network of informants. Having sent Jaxon off to the police station on charges of causing an incident earlier in the day, the Bartels had swiftly and secretly

they intended to scout out the layout of the jail cells. Second, they were likely offering Jaxon a mix of threats and promises, dangling the carrot of more benefits to keep

Bartels, not that she had