Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 178

Whitney cradled her burgeoning belly, her hands trembling as she felt the baby’s frantic movements

inside her. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered hoarsely, trying to comfort her unborn

child, “Daddy didn’t mean it, sweetheart, be still. You didn’t hear anything”

She could barely breathe, his words had cut too deep, the pain was unbearable.

Watching him stride away from the table, his silhouette resolute, Whitney couldn’t hold back any longer.

She stood up, sobbing. “Ludwik, did you hear that? You don’t want it, but it’s moving, it’s scared, it’s

hurting, it’s in so much pain…”

ith a sense of defeat, she slumped to the floor, cold sweat beading on her forehead like a sudden

downpour

Ludwik paused, his fists clenched tight with tension. Hearing the sound of her fall, he couldn’t resist

turning

back

“Ah! Ludwik it hurts so much. “Far away, Elaine’s voice pierced the air with sudden pain.

“Elaine” Ludwik’s concern flared, leaving no room for Whitney in his gaze. He rushed to Elaine’s side.

Holding Elaine tenderly, he said, “Don’t worry. Ill take you to the hospital. Just hold on.”

Tve only got one kidney left what if I can’t make it, Ludwik, what if I just… die?”

Don’t be foolish, that won’t happen.” His voice was firm, resolute

Whitney watched eyes wide, as he cradled Elaine with such worry, rushing her out the door.

She didn’t miss the mocking victorious glance Elaine shot over his shoulder. And there she lay on the

floor, unable to nse as if stranded in an Arctic expanse, unnoticed and unseen by him.

Ludwik placed Elaine in the car and sped towards the nearest hospital.

Blaine lay in the backseat, her face ashen.

A week ago. Ludwik had left the hospital unwell, and Elaine, concerned, had followed him abroad

without proper rest, exacerbating her condition.

A flicker of guilt crossed Ludwik’s face as he focused on the road.

Elaine quietly

y sent a Facebook message to her mother: Have you and Dad arrived?]

[Which hospital are you heading to?] Delphine replied

After Elaine provided the address, she put away her phone, lying there weakly.

They soon arrived at the Hospital. Ludwik carried Elaine to the emergency room, his face grim as he

explained, “She donated a kidney half a month ago.”

“Donated a kidney? Why wasn’t she admitted for recovery?” The doctor was surprised.

Ludwik pressed his lips together.

“It’s no big deal, I just need some rest… Doctor, can you arrange a room for me?” Elaine said with a

wry smile.

“You go and take care of the payment,” the doctor said, turning to Ludwik’s assistant

Ludwik took the paperwork, his gaze lingering on Elaine, a silent promise to take care of the fees

himself.

By the time he navigated the hospital’s complex payment procedures and returned, an hour had

passed.

Approaching the room, he saw his assistant standing at the door with an odd expression.

“What’s wrong?” Ludwik asked as he arrived.

That’s when the sound of intense sobbing erupted from within.

Chapter 1/6

“You foolish girl! How could you carelessly donate a kidney? That’s one of the most vital organs!

And to hide it from us! Just a few days ago, we heard from others about what you did, and it seems of

Emperor City knows about it, with all the elite families gossiping.

Elaine, you are 27 years old and how will you find a husband now, half–alive as you are? You’ve ruined

your life”

Delphine’s agitation contrasted with Zane Bartels‘ composure. “Let it be, the kidney’s already gone to

Ludwik’s mother. Elaine loves the boy deeply, so let’s count it as a good deed “

“But what about our daughter! How will she live, dependent on others, her life in danger at any

moment? Who will take care of her? Ludwik is heartless. She’s loved him for years, and he’s not once

reciprocated if he had any conscience, he’d take care of her himself.”

Elaine, ever understanding, interjected, “Ludwik is taking care of me, Mother. Don’t misunderstand him.

“Paying money is hardly care. You saved him and his mother; he should marry you

“Please, never say that in front of Ludwik I don’t want to put him in a difficult position.”

“How is that difficult? Look at the trouble you’re in, my dear child” Delphine cried again.

The mother and daughter embraced, each shedding tears, while Zane paced the room with a heavy

heart

Outside, Ludwik’s assistant looked helplessly at his boss

Mr. Lippert’s expression was unreadable, his emotions hidden in the depths of his eyes.

Then, the tall figure strode into the room, his voice devoid of emotion, “I apologize. I will engage myself

to Elaine and take responsibility for her care.”

A heavy silence fell upon the room, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Tears blurred Elaine’s vision as she looked up, her voice weak, “Ludwik, are you serious?”

Ludwik rubbed his temples and nodded.

Delphine halted her tears, finally satisfied with Ludwik, approaching him with a mix of gratitude and

respect, “Mr. Lippert, you are a man of honor.”

“Ludwik, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease.” Zane, too, was content, “Shall we step outside for

a smoke?”

Ludwik felt a twinge of irritability, followed by a cold laugh. He knew he’d never fall in love again; it

didn’t matter

who it was.

He nodded and stepped out.

As the door closed, Delphine and Elaine exchanged knowing smiles, their true intentions hidden

After Delphine carefully closed the door, she sat down and whispered, “How are you really feeling?”

Her eyes briefly scanned the bandaged scar on Elaine’s side. Elaine glanced at the door before her lips

curled into a smile, “Don’t worry, you raised a clever daughter.”

Understanding, Delphine’s eyes crinkled with pride as she caressed her daughter’s face, “You

managed all this without my guidance and yet so flawlessly. Have you completely crushed that

Whitney?”

“From now on, Ludwik’s heart will only be mine.” Elaine’s eyes narrowed with pride, “You have no idea

how much. he despises Whitney. Now, he doesn’t even want the child,”

“That’s perfect. You can bear his children in the future. Delphine smiled, murmuring. “Your move to

eliminate Keegan was brilliant; it eased your father’s and my worries. After all, he was a loose end from

the Tennyson family.”

Elaine mulled over her mother’s words, a whirlwind of thoughts churning in her head. With a tinge of

confusion. she asked, “Mom, Ludwik hasn’t done anything to the Tennysons; he said it himself to

Whitney. Are you

implying that Keegan is the real trouble for us?”

“Yes, even though he’s completely unaware of the truth, he’s still a part of the previous generation of

Tennysons.”

Deep in thought, Elaine had a sudden realization. She recalled hearing that Whitney’s grandfather had

also been in the medical field in Emperor City.

Could it be…?

Elaine felt a shiver of intrigue, but dared not ponder any further.

After Ludwik and Zane finished their smokes and returned, Delphine and Elaine had already composed

themselves.

Zane didn’t stay in Banyan City; he was set to return to Emperor City that very day. But before leaving,

he had a word for Ludwik, “Ludwik, Elaine is rather fragile, and she’s so fond of you. If it’s possible,

could you bring her to your home and take good care of her?”

Ludwik found it hard to refuse. After all, Elaine had given so much to him, saving him from his fits twice

and donating a kidney to his mother.

Both emotionally and morally, he could no longer turn his back on her.

“Alright.”

Elaine, upon hearing his deep, affirmative response, was overjoyed.

Ludwik, a man known for his solitary ways and fastidiousness, had agreed to let her move into the

manor!

His home, once the love nest he shared with Whitney, held a special significance.

She fought to conceal the wild joy in her heart, feigning a delicate demeanor, “Ludwik, won’t I be

bothering you? The last thing I want is to make things difficult for you.”

Chapter 179