Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 202

Master Bedroom, Second Floor.

Ludwik lifted Elaine’s leg gently, applying ointment to the slight injury she had sustained.

His rough hands grazed her skin, and she couldn’t help but shiver at the touch, feeling a heat that

seemed to radiate from his palm.

Ludwik carried an air of post–adventure nonchalance about him, a lazy devilish charm that was hard to

miss.

Elaine longed for his attention, yet she was also green with envy. She couldn’t help but probe, “Ludwik,

what happened earlier? Why did you leave me at the party with Whitney and come back early? You

were downstairs in the den for so long… were you with her?”

Ludwik finished bandaging her leg with gentle precision, skirting around the heart of her query, “Elaine,

don’t overthink things.”

“How can I not?” she snapped, jealousy burning within her. His non–denial was as good as a

confession–they had been together again.

She suppressed her anger, putting on a pitiable face as she flung her arms around him, her voice

breaking, “Ludwik, remember? You promised we’d get engaged by the end of the month, and my

birthday is only ten days away. You’re still entangled with her, and I’m scared. Please, can you finalize

the divorce with Whitney? I don’t want our engagement to be tainted.”

Ludwik frowned suddenly. The engagement at the end of the month was a spur–of–the–moment

promise, fueled by Whitney’s indifference that had irked him.

He hadn’t given it much thought, nor did he realize Elaine’s birthday was so close.

Like waking from a dream, Ludwik pinched the bridge of his nose, his mood turning irritable as he

brushed off the topic, “I’ll take care of it.”

He distanced himself from Elaine slightly, “Elaine, you can’t bathe tonight either. Take your medicine

and get some rest early…”

But Elaine didn’t miss the hesitation in his voice, and his avoidance of the engagement topic. Her mom

was right; he was infatuated with that harlot Whitney, unwilling to put it in black and white and finalize

their separation.

She had to shift his affections to herself.

Ludwik had always been a one–woman man, except for that one indiscretion. She was convinced that

if he had a few more encounters, he’d lose that foolish obsession.

She stopped him from leaving, playing the fragile card as she stumbled into his arms, “Ludwik, I can’t

sleep if I don’t feel clean. Could you help me to the bathroom for a quick wipe down?”

Ludwik’s brow furrowed, knowing women prized cleanliness. He couldn’t fault her for that.

He lifted her in his arms, heading for the bathroom, and at that moment, Elaine shot Lyra a knowing

look. Lyra smirked knowingly, taking the nurse with her as they hurried out, closing the door behind

them.

Chapter 202

Ludwik set Elaine down, intending to call the maid to assist her, but before he could step out, a soft arm

wrapped tightly around his waist, “Ludwik…”

He stiffened slightly. Elaine’s lithe figure pressed against his back, her hands softly caressing his shirt

while her voice was sultry and coaxing, “Ludwik, stay with me tonight, will you?”

Realizing what she was insinuating, Ludwik’s expression darkened for a moment, his natural inclination

to refuse, “Elaine, you’re hurt. You need to rest.”

“But this isn’t a trivial matter, Ludwik, Elaine countered, stepping in front of him with doe eyes that were

soft and pleading, her breath warm against his collarbone, “We’re going to be like this one day, right?

I’ve never been with a man before, I don’t know how it works. Don’t despise me for being clumsy, I’ll

learn, and I’m confident that I can make you like me.”

Her words conveyed her innocence, a stark contrast to Whitney’s reputation.

Elaine’s tender allure was palpable as her lips quivered against his adam’s apple.

Ludwik paused, then pushed her away, an instinctual rejection in his heart.

All he could think of was Whitney’s face and voice.

Embarrassed and conflicted, he held Elaine’s wrist tightly, coughing as he made an excuse, “Elaine, I’m

not ready yet. All this time, I’ve thought of you more like a sister.”

Elaine felt like she had been doused with ice water! She turned pale, her eyes swimming with sorrow

and defiance. Yet she quickly said, “Ludwik, is it because you despise my body? I know I only have one

kidney now, and I’m not like other women.”

Her words stung Ludwik with guilt-she had donated a kidney for Natalie.

That was why he had agreed to engage her, but the date was not something he wanted to rush.

Nor had he thought about being intimate with Elaine.

His frustration grew, and he could only hold her shoulders, consoling softly, “How could I despise you?

In my eyes, you’re as beautiful and whole as any other woman.”

Elaine managed a smile, her gaze softening as she wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering,

“Then let’s try it, Ludwik. We’re getting engaged soon anyway, and I want to give myself to you, body

and soul.”

“Elaine, your body can’t handle it right now! Stop this nonsense.” Ludwik pushed her away as if she

were a hot potato. Just then, his phone rang from his pocket.

“I have to take this.” He seemed relieved to have an excuse to leave her, heading for the door, “Parker?

No, I’m fine, I’ll be right there.”

After hanging up, Ludwik turned to Elaine, “There’s a new lead in the case of my mother’s kidnapping. I

have to head to the station. Don’t wait up for me tonight.”

Elaine’s eyes, which had been filled with resentment, shifted subtly.

She had made sure the kidnapping case at the police station was under control, and though Ludwik

never gave up the search, he was unlikely to find anything.

Why would Parker call him? Parker wasn’t like Ashton, who was under her thumb, nor was he as

straightforward as Nolan Fuller. He was a tough cookie.

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Chapter 202

With this thought, Elaine became uncertain, watching as Ludwik hurried downstairs.

Her gaze grew cold as she closed the door and dialed Jaxon, “Check what Parker’s been up to these

past few days. Also, follow Mr. Lippert to the station discreetly. Be careful.”

Ludwik descended the stairs to find Felix standing outside a door, carrying a bag of medications from

the morning hospital visit.

“What’s going on? She won’t open the door?” Ludwik asked, his tone cool.

“Yeah, Madam locked herself in her room, won’t talk to anyone,” Felix said in frustration and

helplessness. He wasn’t sure what Mr. Lippert had done to Whitney this time, but judging by his fury at

the chili shop, it was likely another round of physical discipline.

Lately, Mr. Lippert’s moods are so erratic, even he can’t seem to rein them in.

Felix sighed, “Madam said you shouldn’t bother her unless it’s something to do with her cousin, Yael

Tennyson. She sounded so congested, Mr. Lippert, I’m a bit concerned,”

“You’re concerned about her?” Ludwik narrowed his eyes.

The corner of Felix’s mouth twitched, Mr. Lippert’s jealousy ran so deep it even extended to him. He

quickly added, “I’m just worried about Madam, especially with the baby on the way. Untreated external

injuries can lead to infections, and it seems like she hasn’t eaten anything tonight.”

“If she chooses to be sick and starve herself, then so be it!”

Ludwik glanced at the firmly closed door. His physical needs were unmet, which only added to his

irritability, and this woman, she always talked about trading her cousin,

A chill settled in his heart; if it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t have rushed into agreeing to Elaine’s end–

of–the–month engagement proposal.

The man walked to the door in agitation, then turned back, “Tell the maid to fix her something to eat if

she’s hungry.”

Felix’s mouth twitched again as he exhaled in resignation.

At the police station, Parker had been waiting for quite some time.

Ludwik strode into the interrogation room, his brow furrowed, “What have you guys found?”