Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 231
Ludwik was no doctor, but he could not shake the memory of her biting him, the knife she’d wielded, and the state she’d left
Elaine in.
Maybe the stress had truly taken its toll, and she was sick.
He had heard of postpartum depression, of mothers killing their own children, then themselves.
His kids were his only consolation, and he was determined to see them born, to raise them himself. These two little lives could
not be jeopardized. It was also the last bond between him and that damned woman.
“If she really has depression, what’s the best treatment without affecting the baby’s health?”
“I suggest we isolate her. She’s been hurting people left and right, and this apartment in the city center... If she gets out, Ludwik,
your reputation will suffer. They’ll say you’re holding her captive. Since you want her to have the child, Bryce can’t meddle
anymore, but he’ll be out eventually,” Elaine said, hitting the nail on the head.
Ludwik’s gaze turned icy; keeping her here was not a long–term solution.
Once Bryce was released, he would surely come looking for her, and Ludwik would not allow that man to bother her again!
He had also been contemplating hiding her away.
He frowned and said, “Whether she’s ill or not, let’s get a professional diagnosis. Call Dr. William from the mansion over.”
Elaine’s eyes darkened. Ludwik was always extremely cautious about that woman!
She nodded slightly. “I’ll make the call.”
Dr. William was a physician Ludwik had hired to check on his mother.
Elaine greeted Dr. William at the door with a meaningful look.
In this household, Elaine had effectively become the lady of the villa. Whitney was a thing of the past. Who to listen to was
obvious to Dr. William.
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Upstairs in the bedroom, Whitney had no idea why Ludwik was bringing a doctor and pleaded, “What are you going to do now?
I’m not sick; don’t think about touching my baby!”
She clutched her belly, panting, the picture of paranoia.
Unbeknownst to her, her state only deepened Ludwik’s concern.
Dr. William restrained the woman and managed to complete the examination.
Ludwik asked with a frown, “How is she? Is she depressed because of stress?”
Dr. William glanced at Elaine almost imperceptibly before nodding. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lippert, Ms.
Valentine’s pregnancy hormones are high, and the recent stress has caused her to become somewhat unhinged. She needs
proper care.”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Whitney looked up incredulously, “How could I be depressed? It’s them who infuriated
me.”
Elaine sighed. “Ludwik, it seems we really need to send Ms. Valentine to a private sanatorium for concentrated treatment, lest
she harm others or inadvertently the child.”
Ludwik pondered, his gaze deep upon Whitney.
Whitney realized what was happening; Elaine had been plotting to have her committed to a mental institution since she had
provoked her earlier!

Whitney stood abruptly, clutching her belly, and spoke to Ludwik with a sinking heart. “I can’t be depressed; I’m trained in
traditional medicine; I know my condition!”
“People with depression never think they’re depressed. Look at your behavior–biting, attacking, it’s a far cry from your usual
self.”
“That’s because you forced me to!” Whitney looked at the man with a cold laugh.
“If you didn’t lock me up, didn’t let her raise the child, would I be this angry? Ludwik, you’re now sending me to a mental
institution? Do you have no heart?”
He looked down. “It’s not a mental institution. Elaine means a sanatorium. Once you’re better,
you’ll be out.”
He had to ensure the children were safely born without her making a fuss.
Whitney was on the verge of madness, pointing angrily at Elaine, “Why do you keep being fooled by this woman? You believe
every lie she tells. I’m not sick, and this doctor is her accomplice, giving a false diagnosis!
Ludwik, I beg you to open your eyes. This woman hurt your mother and now wants to harm our child. Do you realize that?
Will she take good care of the child? Have you forgotten how she schemed to cause my miscarriage a few months ago?”
Ludwik’s gaze faltered.
Elaine quickly retorted with a pained smile, “Ms. Valentine, let’s not dredge up the past. I was blinded by jealousy then, but
Ludwik and I are engaged now. You and the child pose no threat to me. Why would I do that to myself?

Honestly, I’m not as heartless as you, claiming you’d rather die with the baby than let us have our way. How much that would hurt
Ludwik.”
She seemed to be explaining, but she was reminding Ludwik of the possible danger to the child. Sure enough, Ludwik’s
suspicious gaze turned to Whitney; prenatal depression could indeed
lead to harming the child.
“Enough!” Ludwik said curtly. “The family doctor is my hire, not Elaine’s. Why would he falsely diagnose you?
Whitney, if you’re sick, you need to be treated. You don’t want to see me, so it’s settled. Go to the sanatorium, cooperate with the
treatment, and once the baby is born, you can leave.”
“I won’t go. Do you have any idea what your Elaine is planning?” Whitney’s heart was racing, yet this man refused to believe her.
She knelt, tears streaming. “Ludwik, you don’t want me; you’re engaged to Elaine; I bless you both! Don’t let her manipulate you.
Let me go! I’m truly not sick; I promise I won’t hurt anyone again; just let me leave.”
“Elaine, what have I ever done to you that made you treat me this way! I won’t let you succeed!” Whitney yelled in her mind.
Her cries echoed as she was carefully lifted by two security guards and taken away.
Downstairs, the ambulance Ludwik had called was waiting.
Whitney was swiftly placed inside.
The sanatorium Ludwik had contacted was nestled in the mountains, facing the sea to the west, serene and quiet, with excellent
amenities.
Before their arrival, he had cleared out the other patients; Ludwik wanted to ensure she was not disturbed and would recover
properly.
Whitney was cradled in his arms and laid in the hospital room. She scrambled to the door, clawing at it, her red eyes begging him
to let her out.
Off to the side, Elaine spoke in a haunting whisper, “Looks like she’s really not doing well, Ludwik. The doctor here just said she’s
impulsive. Lucky you got her here in time.”

The sanatorium’s physician quickly added, “Mr. Lippert, every expectant mother with prenatal depression goes through this. They
dislike confinement. But try to see the bright side. She’s getting treatment, and once she’s better, she’ll be out in no time.“.
Ludwik’s expression was frosty as he watched her frail, tear–stained face, his hands clenched into fists.
The doctor had mentioned that if her depression was not managed, it could adversely affect the baby through the umbilical cord,
possibly leading to autism.
He wanted these twins, and he wanted them healthy, which meant enduring this hardship for
now.
He took a deep breath and turned away, resolutely leaving the place.
“Ludwik!” Whitney pounded on the door, watching the back of his head disappear down the corridor, wondering how he could be
so heartless.
Elaine turned back for a moment. Her smile was unmistakably sinister.