Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 108
The white towel was stained a crimson hue, her small hands trembling slightly as she felt his gaze upon her, deep as the
midnight sky.
She wanted to ask if he was in pain, but the words refused to come out of her throat. Suddenly, her hand was gently clasped by
his, his fingertips were icy cold.
Whitney jerked her hand away, and he let out a pained hiss.
“Are you okay?” She asked, panic lacing her voice as she looked at him.
Their eyes met, and it felt like he was about to bleed ink. An oppressive force loomed over her. Whitney blushed under his
intense stare.
Ludwik rubbed her wrist, his expression unreadable. “Is what you said in the hallway true? That you’re head over heels in love
with me, that you can’t bear the thought of me dying? That if I were to die, you’d follow me to the grave with our child? Is that it?”
Whitney was speechless, flabbergasted. Was that really what she had said?
She could not believe someone could twist her words to such a degree, his self–love bending them out of shape. But seeing his
wounds, she could not bring herself to crush him and quietly protested, “I just said I have feelings for you...”
The man turned cold and pale. “Fine. I nearly died trying to save you, and now that you’re safe, you don’t love or care about me
anymore.”
Whitney bit her lip. “No, that’s not true... I do love you!”
Ludwik scoffed weakly. “Love? And yet you’re all tangled up with other men. Weren’t you planning to run off? What’s stopping
you from going to Mr. Lutz or Perlman?”
Outside the door, two burly men listening in both shuddered.
Nolan, who had been barely holding back his laughter, was now at a loss for words. “Bro’s really got a flair for the dramatic,” he
muttered.
“Man’s got age, but he’s as petulant as a teenager. Good thing Whitney is down to earth,” Parker said with a

smirk.
The ‘down to earth‘ young woman clenched her fists, patience threading her voice as she considered how he had saved her. “I
was just scared from the confinement, okay? Can’t I even go see Tiana without causing a scene? I’ve already... confessed just
now. You know you’re the only man in my heart, so quit being jealous over irrelevant people.”
His eyes fixed on her indifferent face. The gloom of recent days seemed to lift a bit as he heard the term “irrelevant people.”
Nolan raised his thumb in approval, “Whitney’s got a way with words, calming the king of jealousy.”

“Obviously, a woman knows how to soothe a man, especially someone like Bro, who’s been thirsty for affection,” Parker said, his
smile laced with mischief.
Nolan joined in with a chuckle. “Whitney’s what, about four months along now? Heh, Bro can...”
Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion outside,
A subordinate reported, “Ms. Elaine is waiting outside. She heard about Mr. Lippert’s injury and wishes to visit.” Parker had
already stationed bodyguards outside; Ludwik’s injury was not to be publicized, especially not to the Lippert family’s matriarch
and her vultures. They had always been keeping a close eye on Ludwik.
Nolan frowned, instinctively not wanting Elaine to enter.
Chapter 108
Whitney and Ludwik were on the mend, and Elaine’s presence seemed like an unwelcome distraction.
He turned to Parker, inquiring. “What about Elaine? Do we offend her or not?”

With her status in Emperor City, neither Nolan nor Parker would want to cross her lightly.
Parker instructed his men. “Tell Elaine we’re on guard against the Lippert family. We can’t disclose the extent of Ludwik’s injuries.
Please ask her to understand that no one can come in at this time”
The message quickly reached Elaine, who stood blocked by bodyguards, her face darkening with displeasure.
Nolan and Parker were clearly siding with Whitney!
By keeping Elaine out, they ensured that Whitney stayed close to Ludwik. Their recent trials only strengthened their bond.
Elaine’s nails dug into her palms, her mind racing with schemes as she thought of Natalie, who was at the
cottage...
With a tight–lipped smile and a subtle raise of her eyebrows, Elaine turned and left.
Back in the room, Ludwik had not let go of Whitney’s hand, his gaze fixed on her. “Does your stomach hurt?” He asked softly.
A warmth spread through her as Whitney shook her head. “You were in surgery, but a doctor checked on us. Our baby is fine.”
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, his gaze deepening. “Were you okay at the villa these past days?”
Whitney paused; he was finally asking. Her lips felt dry.
But with him lying wounded for her sake, her grievances seemed trivial.
Whitney picked up a cup of water and dipped a cotton swab to moisten his lips. “Does that feel better?”

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His eyes softened, clearly pleased with her gentle demeanor, and he seemed to understand her resentment.
Ludwik changed the subject. “I need to use the restroom.”
Whitney blushed. “I’ll call a male nurse.”
His expression turned frosty. “After saving your life, you can’t even help me to the restroom?”
“Nuff said,” Whitney thought. With resignation, she helped him up, supporting his trim waist. “I’ll help you, okay?”

“That’s more like it.” Ludwik thought.
However, when they moved only a little, he winced in pain, his grip on her hand trembling.
Whitney suggested, “Maybe you could just... on the bed?”
“Absolutely not!” Ludwik’s pride would not allow it.
Leaning on her petite shoulder, his masculine scent overwhelmed her, and Whitney finally realized just how tall and heavy he
was. She carefully supported him to the restroom and then turned around, giving him privacy.
He raised an eyebrow, calling out to her, “My pants?”
Whitney was at a loss for words, glancing at his long, attractive body, and stammered, “Your hands are fine. Take them off
yourself.”
His strength seemed to dissipate instantly, his hands shaking. “It hurts. I saved your life, and you can’t even help me with this...”
Alright, fine. He was her savior, after all,
15:51
Chapter 108
Whitney reluctantly moved closer, her hand trembling as she reached for his hospital pants, accidentally brushing against his firm
abs, hot and solid.
Every fiber of her being reminded her that this was a mature man..

Watching her ears turn a shade of pink, Ludwik found his mood greatly improved. Whitney avoided looking directly at him,
waiting for him to proceed, but he stood still, his dark eyes silently demanding: see it through.
Whitney felt her head was about to explode, her face flushed as she protested, “Don’t push it.
Ludwik arched an eyebrow, his voice hoarse with a hint of mock grievance. “I saved your life! And after all that, you’re still giving
me the runaround. Madam, have you no gratitude?”
Whitney clenched her teeth and wished fervently for him to just shut up, her heart pounding in her chest.
Finally done with the awkward task, Whitney was about to stand up when she caught the deeper shade in his
gaze.
Her cheeks burned, and just then, the bathroom door burst open. “Bro, you–ah crap! Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt. I must’ve
been blind for a moment–saw nothing, I swear!”
Whitney’s head snapped up. “No, it’s not what–he got hurt...”
“I get it, I totally get it,” Nolan said, his ears suspiciously red. This was beyond embarrassing.
With a look of exasperation, Whitney felt like jumping out a window. The situation had been ripe for misunderstanding.
“Nolan, listen to me.” She reached out a hand.
But Nolan was already gone like the wind, muttering, “Parker, Bro is such a freaking beast...”
Great. Whitney knew that with Nolan’s big mouth, the whole hospital would be gossiping by now.
She turned with a look of silent reproach to find the man in question looking back at her.
“It’s not the truth anyway. I’m the one feeling hard done by here. Why not make his misunderstanding true, Madam?”
Whitney’s face flushed a deeper red. She quickly helped him tug his pants up, and with efficient movements, she supported him
as they left the restroom.