Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 117
But the complexity in the man’s eyes, the storms they concealed, were beyond Whitney’s comprehension. Ludwik mused in
silence. Elaine was the bridge between him and the Bartels family; their interests intertwined. There was a time he had wanted
her gone, his dislike manifesting as a reluctance to keep her close. But the Lippert family was eyeing him with predatory intent;
Kaden was eager to make him hand over the reins of Imperial Gem Corporation to Orion.
Just waiting for him to slip up.
In such times, he needed the Bartels family.
How could this silly girl understand the depths of it all? Ludwik shot her a sidelong glance. “Enough talk. I’m starving. If the food
isn’t ready soon, I might just eat you!”
“What an abrupt turn,” Whitney thought, returning to the kitchen.
Yet, even if they were just to soothe her, his words filled her with a sweet sense of being valued and finally feeling the weight of
her importance to him.
ly prepared.
Eventually, two maids joined to assist, and dinner was finally
Whitney stood by the bed, feeding him like a dutiful wife, unable to resist glancing at his hands that moved with ease.
“What are you looking at? Injured shoulders don’t mean I can’t move my hands,” he declared righteously, even as his fingers
deftly navigated the screen of his smartphone.
Whitney was too shocked for words, thinking that saving her seemed to justify all manner of twisted logic. Felix, too, was silently
twitching at the corner of his mouth, thinking. “Mr. Lippert, just admit you enjoy being pampered by your little wife. Would it kill
you?”
Clearly reveling in the attention, the man frowned. “I haven’t bathed all day Wipe me down later.”
The bowl in Whitney’s hands nearly tipped over. She stole a glance at his mature, muscular frame, her heart skipping a beat as
she blushed. “Maybe... Felix should do it?”

“Did I risk my life to save Felix?”
Whitney fell silent.
And Felix, all too aware, had already left the room.
Whitney clenched her fists, trying to reason with him. “But I’d be embarrassed. We’re not that close yet,” she protested.
“Don’t be embarrassed. I allow you to admire my perfect form. Just don’t get overwhelmed,” he said, his noble arrogance on full
display.
Whitney was at a loss for words against his impregnable facade.

After being saved by him, she owed him a debt of service, one way or another.
She made sure the door was closed tightly before fetching a basin of warm water. Taking up the washcloth with trembling hands,
she undressed him, muttering to herself not to overthink it she was just cleaning a sculpture.
But... this particular sculpture was too captivating, his form long and graceful, his muscles well–defined, his skin smooth and
pale–a stark contrast to the fashionable bronze tans of the day, exuding an air of nobility.
She tried to control her gaze, but it kept wandering.
Ludwik watched her with a mischievous glint, her eyes darting over his body, her cheeks flushed like tempting apples. her lips
hitten
Chapter 11,

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he acknowledged her struggle against his damned charisma.
“Heh, she’s not pouncing on me yet, huh?” He thought.
But soon, it was revealed that the man faltered first.
Ludwik’s jaw tensed. “Are you done yet? Hurry up!
Whitney’s face was aflame as she coughed lightly, “Done.”
She finished quickly, rushing to the washroom with the hot water, leaning against the door, panting, her face in her hands.
Frustrated thoughts ran through her mind as she returned, ready to negotiate again. “Can’t you just hire a male nurse? Just now,
your...”
“Still on about just now? Got some idea on your mind?” He leaned against the headboard, taking deep breaths, his gaze dark
and intense.
Whitney’s face flushed. “Stop bullying me, L. I had maids helping me with dinner earlier. You could’ve easily called someone.”
That was only because he realized she could not handle the dinner alone, so he could not bear to see her stand and bend for too
long since she was pregnant
Ludwik gave her an indifferent look. “Falling out of love with me already? Yesterday in the hallway, you were pleading for me to
wake up, willing to do anything.”
Whitney skipped the retort. She had never said such things.

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“Can he stop twisting my confession into something it’s not?” Whitney thought.
Then, she heard a sudden wince from him. “What’s wrong?” She asked, concerned.
The man pressed his lips together, feigning vulnerability. “It hurts all because of you.”
Whitney was skeptical but feared he might truly be in pain, her face showing a hint of regret. “Then stop moving. I love you,
alright? I’ll do anything for you, okay?”
She was at her wit’s end.
He smirked, a devious curve playing on his lips. “Alright, sleep with me then,” his voice weak.
A handsome man with an incredible physique could be devastatingly charming when he whined without clashing with his

maturity.
Whitney looked at his ‘sickly handsome‘ face, the mask adding an enigmatic allure. She had just settled into her small bed when
he complained, “You’re so far away, it hurts more.”
What did distance have to do with it? Guided by his commanding gaze, Whitney eventually lay in his embrace. The hospital bed
was not wide, and she was cautious not to touch his injured shoulder or head. She felt tired, her eyes heavy with sleep.
Seeing this, he frowned and snorted in complaint, and Whitney Instantly snapped awake. “Are you in pain again?”
He nodded sorrowfully, his face a mask of stoicism. “Never mind, you sleep.”
But how could she sleep knowing it was because of her? If it were not for him, she would be the one with a cracked skull.
Whitney sat up, her brows furrowed with concern. “No, I’ll find a doctor.”
“What use is that? Can he stop the pain?”
“Then what?”
2/3
Chapter 117

His eyes drifted to her lips, the warm light of the infirmary casting a soft glow on her beautiful face, her eyes clear and warm,
nearly igniting him, as they did just now.
His gaze shifted to her tiny hands, and he murmured, “Just lightly massage me.
Massage? That she could do.
Whitney leaned in, her hands reaching for his head, his sharp hair pricking her palm. She massaged gently, occasionally blowing
on the wound.
It was instinctive, her maternal softness spilling out before him.
Her hair fell around him like feathers, tickling his face and making the itch
worse.
Ludwik moved her hand gently, his voice low and husky. “It seems a bit better. Keep going, all over.”
Did it really help? Whitney set to work, massaging his solid shoulders... then suddenly, her hand was caught and guided towards
his waist..
Whitney was utterly flabbergasted when, with a deep breath and his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat, Ludwik bowed his head
and started kissing her gently on the cheeks.
She was taken aback; her eyes widened in surprise, unable to speak. The kiss left her breathless and her mind blank. As she
began to realize and try to resist, Ludwik whispered soothingly, like comforting a little girl, “You said you’d do anything for me. I’m
in so much pain right now, Madam...”
Like a delicate marshmallow, Whitney was overwhelmed by him, her eyes wide with indignation yet not daring to resist for fear of
hurting his wound.
She felt utterly defenseless, convinced she must have been dazed by his kisses, unaware of what she was even doing.
Long after, still in a daze and with reddened eyes, she fled to the bathroom, where she lingered for what seemed an eternity.
When she emerged, he was still looking at her with deep, burning eyes, full of apology as he asked, “Are you alright?”
Chapter 118.

Chapter