Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 469

"Your call," Ludwik said, softening his tone upon catching the mist in Whitney's eyes.

He felt a mix of frustration and resignation bubble within him. "Do you have any idea where I've been all day?"

"I don't want to know. Just leave," she replied, her voice firm.

Ludwik, visibly irked and not taking her dismissal lightly, stared at her defiant face for a moment before lighting up a cigarette, blowing the smoke directly at her. She coughed, her lungs protesting, anger rising.

But then, Ludwik gently lifted her chin, his voice softening. "I got news about Sammy. Been wanting to tell you since dawn, but you wouldn't listen. Kept lashing out at me!" "So now, I'm here, swallowing my pride to step into your hotel. Get it?"

Whitney paused, a mix of confusion and urgent concern flitting through her eyes. "What about Sammy? Did you find a clue?"

He didn't reply, letting the smoke curl around him.

Whitney tugged at his sleeve, looking up at him with a vulnerability that seemed to smooth his ruffled feathers.

Ludwik moved closer, his voice low and commanding, "We'll talk later. Cook something first."

"You..."

Her protest was cut off by a suspicious grumble from a stomach - definitely not hers.

Looking up at him, she saw the discomfort on his face, the wound on his forehead adding to his weary look. "You haven't eaten, have you?"

a look that said, 'Isn't it obvious?' and started rummaging

dining in blissful romance with Florence? Ah, right, he had met with Parker for

further, a hint

cozy evening with Florence for

he really

even realize how that

causing Whitney to avert her gaze, her throat tightening. "Did you get that wound while searching for Sammy?" He

explosion?!" She was astounded

smile to Ludwik's lips. "What, you're worried about me now, Whitney? Still

the ingredients, he inched closer, his usual stern demeanor softened by the domestic

of days back in Banyan City, when life was simpler, despite their constant bickering over Elaine, finding brief moments of sweetness amidst the

seemed distant, his familiar presence,

her. "As if I could still care about you! Dream on," she snapped, guarding her

deluded himself, feeling a

push her away, to make her leave for Banyan City, to avoid the turmoil of his feelings. But Whitney wasn't one to back down easily. His determination turned cold. She had this effect on him, yet she claimed to no longer

time I might as well just blow

to silence his morbid talk. After all he had

between them turning stifling. She decided not to engage further, letting him cook on

to leave, she noticed him leaning against

she

"Ludwik?"

strong man before her was reduced

long have you been