Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 181

Rain pelted against the open window of the study, extinguishing the dying ember of the cigarette

between. Ludwik’s slender fingers.

With a silent curse, he flicked the extinguished butt away, his gaze smoldering with an unspoken fury,

as cold and inert as the depths of a still lake.

His eyes were fixed on the defiant figure below, battling the downpour, struggling to remain upright

despite the odds against her.

No gazebo stood beside the ornate front door, no shelter from the storm in sight.

What was she playing at? Some sort of sympathy ploy to soften his heart?

Ludwik stared at her bump, his eyes hardening. The thought that it was all a calculated move, even the

child, made his gaze grow colder.

In the next moment, he yanked the curtains shut and sank into his armchair, surrounded by a

graveyard of spent cigarettes.

Elaine’s mood was as dark as the clouds above. There Whitney stood in the deluge, stubbornly

refusing to leave, playing the damsel in distress.

Ludwik was up, for sure. He was in his study, probably even watching her.

The longer Whitney held out, the weaker she’d become, and maybe, just maybe, he’d soften up.

Elaine prided herself on her cunning. Tonight, when Whitney claimed their divorce was a sham, if

Ludwik had truly cut ties, he would have forced her to sign the papers.

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She was powerless to resist, but Ludwik hadn’t.

Whitney wouldn’t leave, and he hadn’t driven her away. Maybe he was testing whether her feelings we

genuine. This was dangerous; Ludwik couldn’t be allowed to go soft.

Touching the welts on her face, a flare of anger passed through Elaine. She dialed with a smirk, “Jaxon,

send some guys in an hour to nab Whitney, and make sure you find her needle kit and bring it to me.”

With that medicine in hand, she could cure Ludwik without Whitney’s threats hanging over them. As for

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Whitney, alone at night in the outskirts, anything could happen.

Ludwik would have to sleep eventually.

Elaine planned to make her move around three or four in the morning.

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But then that meddling old maid had to interfere!

At two in the morning. Taryn peered out the window repeatedly, unable to harden her heart completely.

Convinced the master would never come down, she worried he’d never forgive the young mistress.

Seeing the young mistress near fainting, belly swollen and drenched, the baby could be in danger!

That child was Natalie’s beloved grandchild, and Taryn felt an aching fondness for the unborn life.

Dressed hastily, she sneaked out with an umbrella and fresh clothes, “Ms. Valentine, put these on and

take the umbrella, leave quickly. You can’t afford to be stubborn with the master!”

“I won’t leave; if I do, I’m abandoning him, and he’ll be angrier.

“Can’t you see, he won’t forgive you? He’s furious, and standing here won’t help.”

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“I won’t go, Taryn, please let me in, or I’ll stay out in the rain until dawn…”

“You’re so headstrong! He doesn’t want you, just wait a bit… Ah, fine, I’ll help you inside, but you can

only stay until daybreak.”

Chapter 181

With no choice left, Taryn, shivering and feverish, knew they couldn’t go on like this or it would be a

loss of life

She snuck Whitney into her own room in the villa.

The servant’s room was modest, with a single bed on the ground floor’s backyard. Taryn had Whitney

lie on the heated floor as she tiptoed to the bathroom to draw hot water.

In the pitch–black, Taryn missed Elaine’s bedroom door ajar upstairs, eyes gleaming with a cold light.

Whitney, stiff with cold, felt a prickling pain as warmth finally enveloped her.

Only after Taryn had helped her into dry clothes and piled several blankets over her did she start to

regain some strength.

Taryn watched her, voice chilly, “Check on the baby’s movement; make sure there’s nothing wrong.”

“Thank you, Taryn. It was very active just now, probably asleep.”

“Why put yourself through this? You wronged the master, and Natalie is in a coma. Just divorce him

and be done with it!”

Taryn advised, seeing it as a release for both of them.

Taryn, what if I told you I didn’t hurt Natalie, would you believe me?”

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Taryn’s face grew cold. “But your uncle kidnapped Natalie, and I saw him push me out of the car.”

Whitney managed a bitter smile, “It’s true he kidnapped Natalie, but it’s also true I didn’t hurt her. There

are too many misunderstandings between us.”

She held Taryn’s hand, “Has he placed Natalie in the detached house? Please let me see her, I need to

know how she is.”

“Impossible!” Taryn withdrew her hand, skepticism in her gaze, “The master has ordered that you’re not

allowed near Natalie’s room. Don’t make it hard for me!”

“He guards against me, yet he doesn’t realize the real person he should be wary of is Elaine, Whitney

said with a bitter smile.

How could she leave Natalie under the same roof as Elaine?

“What do you mean by that?” Taryn asked, puzzled.

“Taryn, please, tell Xandra to watch out for Elaine in the detached house. Natalie’s condition is related

to her.”

“But Elaine donated a kidney to Natalie. You can’t just make accusations!”

Whitney fell silent, realizing no one believed her, “Taryn, I will find the truth. Don’t say anything, just

protect Natalie.”

Her concern left Taryn conflicted, “Go to sleep. Leave at dawn, and don’t get me in trouble with the

young mistress!”

With a heavy heart, Whitney lay back down.

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After a sleepless night and before dawn broke, Whitney rose unsteadily and whispered an apology to

the still sleeping Taryn before slipping out of the backyard. Five months of living with Ludwik, she knew

his routine well. He usually got up at five for his workout.

Quietly, Whitney entered the kitchen and rolled up her sleeves to prepare breakfast.

As seven o’clock approached, Elaine woke up.

Heading towards the staircase, she caught sight of Whitney in the kitchen!

Elaine’s fingers clenched. Was she clinging on, playing the caring wife?

Her gaze darkening, Elaine tumed back towards the second floor gym Ludwik returned from his and th

handed him a towel, her voice soft. Tve drawn your bath, Ludwik

“There’s no need to trouble yourself with such things.” Ludwik replied, his brow furrowing involu

Elaine’s face fell into an expression of hurt

He slowed his tone, gently grasping her wrist, “Why are your hands so cold? Did you not sleep well last

nights Was the nurse not attentive enough?

A nurse had been arranged for her room, so naturally Ludwik wouldn’t stay overnight in the master

bedmom Elaine replied meekly. “I’m just not used to the bed, maybe it’s the decor that I don’t like

“Let’s change it “

With those three succinct words, Elaine looked at him, her eyes lighting up with surprise. Just like that,

any trace of Whitney would be completely erased.

“Ludwik, I don’t need a nurse to stay with me at night. I’m not that frail”

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“Let’s just follow the doctor’s orders, shall we? I’m going to take a shower, you go on downstairs

Elaine watched as the tall, impressive man headed toward the bathroom, peeling off his t–shirt,

revealing back tout with muscle and a trim waist.

Her gaze shuddered intensely, her cheeks flushing with a touch of embarrassment – Ludwik was an

irresistibly charming man!

After his shower, Ludwik found her still there, standing in the wardrobe, her hands holding his clothes.

Seeing his furrowed brow

Elaine’s expression turned even more aggrieved as she whispered, “I just want to take care of you,

Ludwik Can you indulge me this small wish, please?”

Chapter 182

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