Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 727

"That scoundrel," she fumed, her anger boiling over. "Even on his last legs, he can't shake off his true nature." She was especially incensed, warning him, "That was the past. We've cut ties long ago. I'm married now." Ludwik's gaze darkened.

With a flippant tone, he retorted, "Doesn't make much of a difference. On your wedding night, instead of being with your husband, you were in my bed, Whitney. Have you forgotten? I doubt you could forget; we were...busy all night." "Shut up." Damn it, why did he have to bring that up?

Whitney's face flushed with anger, her beauty and her porcelain features shimmering under the light, ensnaring Ludwik's gaze. It was maddening how familiar he was with every inch of her, his temperature rising uncontrollably as he reached out, his hand brushing her cheek.

Whitney shivered at the touch, those memories imprinted on her very skin.

Angry at her own instinctive reaction, she hissed, "Ludwik, what the hell do you think you're doing? Don't you dare, Danny is sleeping right next to us. I swear, if you try anything, I'll bite you. And besides, you're not even...in the game anymore. Can't you behave for once?" His hand stiffened at her words, a sharp pain piercing his heart.

His face went pale instantly.

Whitney bit her lip, regretting her harshness. Men had their pride, especially concerning certain matters, which to them were more critical than life itself.

"I didn't mean to belittle you, but you're really crossing the line here!"

"Crossing the line? Knowing my condition, you should worry even less. Even if I wanted to, I...I can't have you."

Ludwik was visibly frustrated, his touch on her lips restrained, yet his flirtatious nature hard to conceal. "Talking about biting me? You know that reminds me of a certain flavor, Whitney, damn it..."

"..." What was he even saying? Whitney thought he was speaking in riddles, but she understood all too well, feeling harassed in the quiet of the night. Her face turned crimson, "Just shut up. You should be keeping to yourself at this point. Stay away from me. You're still a man, after all; stop talking nonsense."

"I'm no longer a man," Ludwik said coldly.

expecting such a bleak outlook from him. There had to be

Whitney. Remember how you helped me once when you first came back? Maybe you could show some kindness again, treat me like

really seeking treatment, or just looking for an excuse to be

just any man to her,

anger, she pushed him away. "How can you have the nerve to ask me for help? Have you forgotten how deep our grudge runs? Besides, you deserve this fate. Maybe you won't harm any other woman now." "I don't want to harm any other woman; I just want to harm you. Without you, I might as well

chuckled bitterly, his handsome face

saw his thick lashes drooping, his whole demeanor lacking energy,

well or

she didn't

me, do you not

she coughed softly, "Don't be too pessimistic. I was just angry earlier. Though I can't treat you, the doctor I recommended is quite good. With modern medicine, there's still hope." Seeing her soften, Ludwik pretended to be more dejected, wrapping

Whitney was

Ludwik stubbornly stayed by her side, his embrace filled with the warmth and scent of a man, his gaze drooping even more. "I'm so pitiful now, let me hold you just this once. It's been so

pitiable look was quite the contrast to his

tongue, feeling the familiar sensation of his touch. He was still strong, and

could he be...incapable? She

off guard, Ludwik held her

really should

hair, his voice hoarse, "No more jokes. I fear I

to love you anew, but

to me, please, leave Bryce. Even if you

but

frowned,