Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 687

Ludwik was still sprawled in the mud, unmoved, his once pristine shirt now a testament to his fall from grace. His face, once strikingly handsome, was marred, his lips pressed tight as if holding back the pain.

He was a shadow of the man Whitney remembered. Ludwik, with his imposing presence and icy demeanor, always seemed untouchable, an enigma. Even on his worst days, there was a certain cleanliness to his aura that was captivating. Now, with his beard unkempt and his face hollow, he seemed lifeless.

What could have brought about such a downfall? Was it really just the Lippert family's financial ruin?

He wasn't one to break easily...

"Hey, wake up..." Whitney bent down to nudge him, eventually resorting to calling his name, "Ludwik, do you even recognize me?"

The man, drunk beyond belief, slowly opened his eyes. Those once sharp glances that could cut through steel were now dulled, hidden beneath heavy eyelids.

He squinted, struggling to make out the figure before him. Though her face seemed to blur in and out of focus, her familiar scent enveloped him, stirring something within.

It was as if her presence alone could resurrect his broken spirit.

"Whitney...what are you doing here?" he managed through clenched teeth, offering a weak smile in what he believed to be a dream, "Is it nighttime? I love the night... It's the only time I can dream of you. In my dreams, you're not mad, you don't scold me... you even smile at me."

Whitney bit her lip, her heart heavy with unspoken words.

drunken ramblings, she insisted,

But Ludwik barely reacted.

sighed. How could he get

she couldn't leave him there. Bending down, she helped him

murmured, "Don't touch me...

keep hold of his wavering form, "Where

to see two deep gashes in his palm,

a beat, and she decided,

Ludwik slurred, trying to push her away as he staggered

hands made it difficult

pulled him across

to Sandy in a text, saying she was caught up with something,

pharmacy, Whitney stopped to buy antiseptics

for it, she drove him to a nearby

managed to get the heavy man into an elevator and into a room, dumping him

of medical supplies

on his hands,

revealing a body still sculpted despite his condition, she averted her gaze, her

severely beaten and needed medical attention. Considering the risk of infection from his mud-caked pants,