Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

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Chapter 155
Ludwik’s tone was cool and emotionless, and Whitney could not comprehend his emotions.
Her heart raced as she jerked back, feeling like it might leap right out of her throat.
Why was he in the kitchen?
Ludwik eyed her suddenly downcast face, saying nothing as his long fingers covered her pale ones. He expertly took the spatula
to sauté the morels in the pan, skillfully bringing the water to a boil.
Whitney was a mess of nerves, unable to comprehend why he would still want to be near her.
Trapped in his scorching embrace, unable to break free, she did not know how to escape.
“The water’s boiling,” he reminded her, his voice nasal, hinting at a cold.
“Oh,” Whitney replied stiffly, reaching for the pot.
The man assisted her, pouring out the water with ease.
Natalie’s silhouette lingered at the kitchen entrance, her laughter peeking through.
Turning her head, Whitney started to grasp what he meant.
Pretending to go along with it, she did not dodge him anymore, and he instructed, “Add just a bit of oil.”
She reached for the oil bottle, her pinky finger instinctively raised in a delicate and graceful manner, pouring just a little and
waiting for his cue.
Ludwik squinted, watching her dainty, onion–like fingers, his husky voice commanding, “Pour more.”
“Add the morels,” he directed.
Whitney quickly scooped up the morel slices, her cooking skills obviously lacking.
The man enveloped her tiny hand with his, taking up the spatula.

Their bodies were so close in the warm kitchen that it gave Whitney a dizzying sensation as if the warmth inside her was
returning.
But was this just a fleeting dream?
Perhaps he knew it too, hence this last close moment he allowed?
Her heart felt pricked by a needle, sharp and stinging, and Whitney silently wished for time to slow down.
Just a little slower.
Yet the dishes were quickly prepared.
His long legs carried him out of the kitchen, leaving the warmth behind and returning to his frosty demeanor.

The lavish marble dining table was soon laden with a feast, cakes, pastries, and exquisite wine glasses.
Natalie was lighting romantic candles, inviting Whitney to take a seat.
At the grand table sat only three people.
Natalie seemed particularly joyful, sighing, “It used to be just the two of us for New Year’s, so dreary and quiet. Now, with
Whitney and the baby on the way, we’re still few, but I think your happiness will grow.”
Her face beamed with joy.
Whitney’s expression stiffened, her inner turmoil whispering, could their happiness really grow?
No, this was their first New Year’s together, probably the last..

Ludwik remained silent across the table, his face as impassive as ever.
He poured himself a glass of wine, his long fingers swirling it before drinking it with icy detachment.
The silence spread around the table until Natalie nudged her son, “Don’t you have something to say to Whitney?”
Ludwik set down his glass, wiping his lips with a napkin, his gaze coolly meeting Whitney’s.
She froze in her seat, her heart feeling locked in a box, suffocating.
She knew what he was about to say, what she had been awaiting.
She had caused his company trouble, United Realty Corporation, to face a significant loss, and he would not forgive her.
So be it, a clean break.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, as if pricked by needles, unbearably painful.
Yet he stood, towering over her, holding a small velvet box, the royal blue case sliding under the romantic candlelight to
Whitney’s stunned presence.
He leaned against the table, looking down, his deep eyes fixed on her, “Open it.”
Confused, Whitney did.
Inside was a stunning diamond ring that left her speechless.
In a complex, grave tone, Ludwik said, “Whitney. Did you make a mistake in the bid on purpose? I won’t ask. I can forgive that
error. If you thought your mistake would anger me, drive me away, and set me free with Elaine, you need not have bothered. I

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won’t have it.”
His gaze darkened. “What exactly went wrong between us? I don’t understand. It seems to be over?”
A mocking, pained smile flickered in his eyes.
Her heart clenched, and she bit her lip hard, fearing she would be overwhelmed by desolation.
He looked at her intently, his voice a low whisper, “I don’t want it to end! Nor do I want to lose you. Take your time to consider
wearing this ring. Give us one last chance. If you’re not wearing it tomorrow morning, I won’t force you.”
After his resolute words, he returned to his seat, the man who always seemed so untouchable.

But what had he just done?
Whitney’s heart trembled.
He was proposing to her.
50 < ŏ S I G S I G S «
Stunned, she gazed at the ring, simple yet centered with a rare pink diamond.
Was it a symbol of her uniqueness, and how much did she mean to him?
Her fingers hid under the table, shaking uncontrollably as Natalie took her hand, placed the ring in her palm, and folded her
fingers over it, her voice filled with significance. “Whitney, he designed this himself. You must wear it. I swear, he’s never said
anything like this in his life.”
A sword seemed to pierce Whitney’s heart, the pain indescribable.
Her mind, tangled with shock and pain, could not stay another second without giving herself away.
She stood abruptly, pretending to feel nauseous, “Excuse me, Mom. The baby might have upset my stomach. I’ll just head to the
restroom.”
Fleeing Ludwik’s forlorn gaze, Whitney rushed to the bathroom, slammed the door behind her, and turned the water on full blast.

Beneath the sound of running water, she trembled, opening her hand to reveal the warm ring shining in her
palm.
The ring’s edges, like gentle blades, cut into her heart.
She should not be given this kindness.
Looking into the mirror, she wondered, “Ludwik, are you foolish? Why not cast me away? Do you know what I’ve planned? I
intended to seek revenge! Why propose? After yesterday’s despair, why still tolerate me? With United Realty Corporation in such
trouble, why not abandon me?”
At that moment, all the answers lay in Whitney’s heart. His feelings for her were genuine, truly real. He tolerated her endlessly,
even wanting to keep her after the disaster.
He said he did not want to lose her.
His affection for her was that deep.
Whitney felt like she could see the beating heart beneath his icy exterior, presented to her on an open palm. Just moments ago,
he had offered it up to her.
But in her hands was a blade of hatred. She was poised to pierce his heart, to make it bleed, to cause pain. Before she could
hurt him, though, she had already wounded herself.
Her pain was so intense she could not breathe. Staring at the ring, she curled up in a corner. Tears dropped one by one, heavy
and relentless. Her sobs were hoarse as she kept asking, “Mom, why did it have to be this way? Why did the man I love have to
be the one who hurt you all those years ago? If only my enemy were not him, how perfect that would be. I want to be with him,
have his children, wear this ring, and share in his
Why can’t 12 Why can’t I...”
Chapter 156