Love Beyond the Mask novel 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.

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."