Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 376

"Look, it's clear as day. Didn't you see her legs covered in bruises and blood? There's no point in arguing whether she was hurt or not. The medical report spells it out, and the doctor was right there treating her. I saw it all with my own eyes.' "So, you think I'm accusing her of faking it?"

"I didn't say that. Can we just drop this already?"

"Fine, I'll go check on her myself. Maybe I'll miraculously cure poor, frail Elaine, including her kidney issue!"

Hearing the word 'kidney,' Elaine's eyes flickered with alarm, and a sense of dread washed over her as she clung to Ashton, shaking her head frantically, "Ashton, I'm scared, I'm scared of Ms. Valentine's fists. She beat me so badly last time." This was clearly meant for Ludwik to hear.

Ludwik frowned, remembering how Whitney had roughed up Elaine before. Her mental state was a total mess; she even tried to bash her head against the wall earlier...

Regardless, he couldn't just stand by and let Elaine come to harm. If she actually died in this hospital, he'd never forgive himself for letting his mother down.

"You don't need to 'treat' her, Whitney. Can you just leave for now? Whatever explanation you want, I can give it to you tomorrow."

Ludwik's voice was soft but firm, his expression cold, as he positioned his tall frame between Whitney and Elaine, effectively shielding the latter.

Elaine's lips curled into a smirk; the outcome of tonight's drama was pretty clear.

filled with disappointment as cold as the bitter nights

easily manipulate him with a few tears. Was he aware that his 'soft-heartedness' was a

moments, his persistent affection, all felt so fake

there will be a tomorrow for explanations? Your duplicity disgusts me. Stay here with your damsel in distress. A

Her situation is special; that's the only reason I'm here. Why can't

was icy as she pulled away

frosty. He had humbled himself, yet she continued to misunderstand, completely disregarding his current predicament. Maybe, as Ashton said, what really was Whitney's sentiment towards him? Resentment? Love? Was there any left at all? If a woman still loved

Ashton, completely blind, both of them. How perfect would it

"And what good would that do? Elaine's constantly playing the kidney card, brainwashing Ludwik. He's set on protecting Elaine; the police won't stop him. On the contrary, if I went to the police

expose Elaine completely? It seems only a fake kidney donation would wake Ludwik up. Any other damning evidence, because

Whitney's eyes were icy as she glanced towards the room, her fists clenched. "The Bartels, all three, I won't let them off. As for Elaine... I heard from Danny that Natalie's fingers are moving

lifted. "Really? So you've been planning for

Whitney corrected in a whisper, giving Tiana a meaningful look. "I promised when I

her own hellish past years; she squeezed Whitney's

Ludwik. "Ludwik,

moment, he pulled out a check from his suit pocket, along

words were cold and final, "I don't care what your intentions are. After tonight, whether you attempt suicide again or refuse treatment, I won't be involved. The boy who cried wolf only works once. Elaine, I hope you understand, I owe you for saving my life, but your repeated attempts at suicide will negate any