Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 81
As Whitney spotted L lingering in the hallway, her heart quivered, and a glimmer of hope lit up in her eyes. She wondered if he
was just being tough with his words but soft–hearted inside. But then she saw him draping his Jacket over Elaine’s shoulders
with such care, and realization hit her hard.
It wasn’t about her all.
L hadn’t left because he was taking care of Elaine, who was soaked to the bone, probably needing to see a doctor.
Meanwhile, there she was, having been roughed up, aching all over in her hospital room, with not even a glass of water to drink
because he’d refused to hire a nurse for her.
And from where she stood, it almost looked like L was pulling Elaine into an embrace.
What kind of sister was Elaine to deserve such intimacy?
A chill settled in Whitney’s gaze.
Pushing the IV stand, she slowly made her way out of the room.
Elaine, quick to notice, warned the man while taking a step back, putting some distance between them. It was a clear attempt to
show innocence, but it only made her look more suspicious.
Whitney’s gaze turned icy. Suddenly, the cup in her hand felt too heavy, and as it slipped, it crashed onto her foot, eliciting a
sharp cry of pain.
Ludwik’s cold hand reached out to steady her as he scolded, “Can’t you be more careful?”
He picked up the cup, and seeing her parched lips, a pang of regret hit him.
Did she need some water?
But Whitney heard only his irritation, a stark contrast to the tenderness he’d shown Elaine just moments before. Her displeasure
surged, and she coldly shook off his hand.

His displeasure was immediate. He’d already set aside his pride with the gesture of a peace offering, and now she was pushing
him away?
He wanted to spank her for her insolence.
Pressing down on the IV stand, he glared at her with a chilling look, “What’s your problem, Whitney?”
Her voice laced with self–derision, Whitney retorted, “No problem at all. I wouldn’t want to keep you from playing dress–up with
your sister.”
Her words were like ice, and Ludwik’s face turned stormy. “What’s with the attitude?”
Elaine rushed over, her eyes brimming with feigned concern, trying to explain, “Whitney, it was because I was wet, so he kindly
offered me his jacket. He didn’t mean anything by it. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Whitney scrutinized Elaine, unable to hide her distaste. From the moment Elaine had clung to L’s wrist, to the subtle provocation
in her voice, Whithey recognized the games she played.
She sneered, “I’m not misunderstanding anything, Elaine. You don’t have to emphasize that he put his jacket on you. I couldn’t
care less.”
Whitney acknowledged feeling somewhat out of control. She knew she shouldn’t have said that, but what did it matter now?
The man, seemingly indifferent to her, had left her stranded in the hospital room while tending to other women. The thought of
her helpless situation in the hospital room stirred a mixture of resentment and anger within her.
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Ludwik’s expression darkened at her ‘I couldn’t care less‘ remark. In any argument, she’d retreat like a turtle into its shell,
absolving herself of all blame.
He scoffed at Elaine, “Why bother explaining to her? Did she appreciate your efforts to get a lawyer for her? She clearly doesn’t
care, and if I went to put my jacket on you, I will!”
Elaine was eager to express something, but a flicker of darkness passed through her eyes.
Whitney, you really don’t know how to appreciate things.” Ludwik remarked.
He must have lost his mind, choosing to stay here. Just moments ago, he had hoped that if Whitney showed any sign of
softening, he would smoothly reconcile with her. She shared a room with her ex, mistook Simon for her savior, blamed him for
not rescuing her, and misunderstood his relationship with Elaine.
Was she deliberately picking a fight?
He then declared, “Since you don’t care, Elaine, I’ll take you home!”
“But you can’t just leave Whitney here,” Elaine pleaded.
Ludwik was truly furious now, his aura cold enough to freeze the hallway. He grabbed Elaine and stormed off.
Left behind, Whitney leaned on her IV stand, watching them leave hand in hand. Her heart felt colder than the howling wind
outside.
Finally, her weary eyes closed, and dampness spread to the corners.
“Nurse...” Her voice choked up, her abdomen aching, making her want to cry even more.

The nurse hurried over, offering support. “Is that your husband? If you’d just apologize, I’m sure he’d
understand. He’s been standing there for quite a while, not really talking to that other woman. Seemed like he was waiting for
you.”
However, Whitney couldn’t hear her through the buzzing in her head. With red eyes, she shuffled back to her room, collapsing
into bed, too exhausted to move.
Outside the hospital, a downpour began.
Elaine, secretly thrilled, was pulled into the car by Ludwik.
The rage in Ludwik was quenched by the cold rain, and he released Elaine’s hand, his eyes profound and exhausted. “Go home
by yourself, Elaine.”
Elaine’s expression froze. He had said he would take her home, but that was just an angry retort meant for Whitney.
He was using her.
Realizing this, Ludwik offered a half–apology, “I’ll call you a cab.”
Elaine felt a scratch at her heart, but this was the path she had chosen. One day, she’d repay Whitney’s scorn a hundredfold.
With a demure look, she insisted, “It’s okay, Bro. I just have a little cold. I can make it home on my own.”
But Ludwik wasn’t really listening, his gaze fixated on the hospital’s second floor.
Elaine climbed into her car, the scratch in her heart turning into a smirk. This evening had been a triumph. Her ‘kindness‘ was
etched in Ludwik’s mind, and the relationship between those two began on a discordant note. Reconciliation would be difficult
now.
The only sour note was that Whitney’s pregnancy had not been terminated.
Elaine’s eyes deepened. She made a call to Monica, “Idiot, who did you hire? Can’t even abort a child.”
Inside the Bentley, the scent of smoke was heavy, and Ludwik’s handsome features were etched with a cold, hard edge.
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He dialed the hospital with a chill in his voice, arranging for a nurse to check on Whitney. No matter what happened to her, the
kid couldn’t be left to suffer.
His thoughts wandered to what that scumbag had said about finding Whitney’s best friend Tiana, whom he hadn’t seen tonight.
With a frosty gaze, Ludwik decided to make another call, this time to Parker, saying, “Use your connections to locate Tiana.”
After a barrage of orders, Parker, who had just returned from a business trip, felt utterly confused and sensed that Ludwik was in
a foul mood. “Bro, what’s going on?”
The call ended with the howling wind as the only response.
Parker stood in silence.
Ludwik took a self–deprecating drag on his cigarette, wondering why he even bothered with her well–being–an infuriating woman
who seemed to excel only in raising his blood pressure.
A cold laugh slipped through his lips, but his thoughts began to sink deeper. Did he truly know this woman? Her business tactics,
her way with men- was she genuinely virtuous?
Driven by an inexplicable impulse, he had taken her under his wing despite the pressure, even considering a long–term claim by
proposing a trial marriage, seriously contemplating a life together. Yet, all she returned was distrust and a likely pitfall for Imperial
Gem Corporation in the business world!
Was it really worth it, being caught between a rock and a hard place for her?
Was the decision at Alpine Springs Resort impulsive?
Ludwik, in that moment, coldly questioned himself.
His Bentley tore through the downpour, its reckless speed a testament to its owner’s turbulent emotions.