Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 314

"Shameless!" Whitney's eyes filled with tears, her voice quivering with outrage. How dare he demean her with physiological excuses after spending the night with her? He was beyond a jerk, utterly despicable.

Perhaps sensing he'd gone too far, Ludwik frowned, gently grasping her hand in his, seeking some form of reconciliation.

His face twisted uncomfortably as he explained, "Look, we're both consenting adults. The police wouldn't see it as assault, you know that, right?"

"I didn't enjoy it one bit. You're terrible in bed! It was like being bitten by a mangy dog. I had no choice but to let it happen and now I'm worried I've caught something. I'm heading to the hospital for a check-up!" Hearing the words "consenting adults" confirmed Whitney's suspicions that Ludwik was shirking responsibility.

Despite anticipating this, her heart still ached fiercely.

Of course, he was set on marrying his beloved Elaine, while she was merely a fleeting distraction.

Despicable.

A chill crept into her gaze.

Ludwik, faced with her biting sarcasm, saw his own face darken with anger.

What, she had the nerve to criticize his performance? And insinuate he was diseased? What did she take him for?

Rising abruptly, his frustration evident, Ludwik retorted bitterly, "Maybe I'm the one who should get checked. With your reputation, who knows how clean you are?"

Whitney froze, feeling as though her heart had been mercilessly torn apart.

She let out a hollow laugh, remembering just how venomous Ludwik's words could be.

yet you couldn't wait to get me into bed, over and over.

fell as Ludwik's complexion turned stormy. "You provoked

Aside from their night

her

like you? I'll consider it a dog

Ludwik struggled to speak,

for last night, admitting his fault and open to any form of compensation

his company that repulsive to her? "Whitney, I'm giving you one chance to name your price, to

some cheap fling! The nerve

clinging, Mr. Lippert. I move on, just like kicking a dog aside after it's served

again, and you'll regret it!" Ludwik's jealousy

for dousing his heated thoughts with cold

that last night

indifference, a stark contrast to the adoration

a silent,

only settled for you because Elaine wasn't an option. Your hoarse voice this morning

knew exactly how to wound

it coming; she was nothing but a backup plan. Yet, for a fleeting moment last night, lost in the haze of his affection, she had

would make them both pay,

any lingering

-

with Parker outside was brief and

men knew the score, the marks on Ludwik's neck leaving little to the

are you doing here?" Ludwik's tone

two were so loud the whole