Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 403

Ella gasped, "Miss, you're so frail, this could kill you."

"It's alright, I really wanted to help Mr. Lippert's mother. It's just... after Mr. Lippert saved me in that alley, I fell for him at first sight. So, I had a selfish little request..."

The girl shyly raised her head, her gaze timid as a fawn.

Ludwik frowned.

She hurriedly added, bitterly, "Mr. Lippert, don't feel burdened. Liking you is my business! If Mr. Lippert can be a good boyfriend and fiancé, keep me warm, and let me experience true love, I'd die with no regrets." Ludwik somewhat understood her point.

He set his terms, "I can give you the status of a boyfriend or fiancé, the care and protection you're asking for. But, my heart, and anything more intimate, I can't. I won't be able to fall in love with you, I hope you understand."

Florence clearly understood. He was willing to play the perfect boyfriend, but he was offering only an empty shell, all fake warmth and affection. But it didn't matter. Time was on her side, and with her charm and strategies, she was sure she could win his heart from Whitney!

The girl smiled happily, "Having Mr. Lippert dote on me is enough for me."

"Do you have any other requests?" he asked.

"Yes." Florence said pitifully, "I want the donation of marrow and blood to be kept a secret from the public. My family doesn't know about my terminal illness; they think I'm just frail. If they found out about my donations, they'd be heartbroken." Ludwik nodded in agreement.

A young girl bearing a terminal illness? The man felt a faint sense of pity.

Dr. Johnson asked, "Miss Florence, how are you feeling? We need a full understanding to prepare for the blood transfusion and your care."

Florence nodded, looking at her doctor.

The doctor stepped forward, gravely, "Miss's condition is dire. She shouldn't be risking her life with a blood transfusion, but I couldn't dissuade her... Her terminal condition is a heart issue. Any excitement could induce coughing fits and fainting. If she's to donate marrow, she must be well looked after and kept happy."

Ludwik looked at the girl before him as though she were a precious resource.

her life, he naturally would hold up his end of

void of emotion, "Starting today, I'll look after you,

fiancé!" The girl's smile pierced Ludwik, reminding him vaguely of Whitney. The girls

in her the innocence and cuteness Whitney had before

meeting at ten, shall I take you home first?

I call you that?" the

averse to such intimacy from other women, but he

out to chat

was part of being a 'boyfriend,'

he escorted her to his car, driving her to the Garden Hotel, then he raised an

I came here quietly... to seek treatment. Actually, dating you was also to reject a marriage arrangement my family made. I don't want wealth or power, just to spend the rest

silent for a

he was preparing to

-

Bentley left the Garden Hotel, Ludwik, eyes closed, instructed, "Felix, dig up some information

for Natalie, and how he and Whitney... Felix dared not speak further, recalling the desolation in Mr. Lippert at the hospital, a side of him unseen before. Florence retracted

Florence,

an illegitimate daughter, my

we'll pack up and

back the illegitimate daughter, keeping the 'Miss' title for her since she's older than you.

-

In the office.

not much on this girl. Even her surname is hard to trace, like it's being intentionally hidden. But she is indeed from out of town, coming to Banyan City only to seek treatment." Ludwik narrowed his eyes. In the

of his nose, "As long as she's not complicated. No need

Felix understood.

-

the cemetery of Banyan