Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 19

Ludwik’s Adam's apple bobbed as Whitney leaned in closer, her soft body seeking his warmth. His breath grew heavier in response, and his cool gaze narrowed.

Whitney's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He remained silent, multiplying her discomfort.

Seeing this, Nolan could not help but feel a bit frustrated with Ludwik's leniency. He decided to tease Whitney. "Anything goes, huh? Ms. Valentine, you frequent the clubs a lot, right? You must be good at dancing. How about giving him a little show to lighten the mood?"

Whitney's face paled as she shot Nolan a cold glare, refusing to dignify his comment with a response.

Her fingers delicately traced Ludwik's tie, pulling him closer with a humiliated downward glance. "I'll dance for you at home, Mr. L. Is that satisfactory?"

Her scent wafted to him, stirring a mix of pity and desire.

Her voice was weak, and as Ludwik scrutinized her, he remembered the near brawl she had been caught in earlier that evening. Perhaps she had been hurt?

Considering the child, he thought it might be time to ease up on his lesson.

His hand gripped her chin firmly, his deep eyes lifting. "Are you going to let me get up now?"

Whitney, realizing her imposition, moved back.

He stood, casting a cold glance her way, and as he walked out, he took her small hand in his, leaving the people in the private room in stunned silence.

After Ludwik left, Nolan remarked, "Just like that, you're letting her off the hook? She almost cheated on you."

"What, you want her to dance for you?" Ludwik's features turned icy with annoyance, "Get out, all of you!"

Nolan and Parker exchanged a look, speechless.

They watched as Whitney managed to charm Ludwik and whisk him away.

Nolan clicked his tongue, "That Whitney is no simple trouble, I tell you. She's seduced the usually abstinent Ludwik in a matter of days. If his other lady finds out, there will be hell to pay..."

Parker's expression darkened, "Watch your mouth, don't let Whitney hear you."

Realizing his blunder, Nolan shut up but could not resist adding, "Whitney is just a contract wife, isn't she? A year and the deal's done—she gives him a child, and then it's back to the other one."

Parker, however, squinted thoughtfully. After tonight's events, Ludwik's heart was an enigma to all.

Back at the mansion, Whitney got out of the car first, hiding her back pain while covertly asking the housekeeper, Taryn, for some pain relief cream.

Ludwik watched her ascend the stairs, his handsome face clouding over. She had brought him home, and now she was turning cold again?

His brows furrowed as he questioned Taryn, "What did she tell you?"

"Madam is hurt. She asked for some ointment. Sir, you should take it to her. She's so pale with pain!"

Taryn sensed a rift between the couple.

Ludwik paused, his thick eyebrows knitting together.

Whitney lay on the bed upstairs in the bedroom, in too much pain to move. Hearing footsteps, she mistook them for Taryn and, trembling slightly, she lifted her shirt. "Taryn, I can't do this on my own. I need your help..."

As she lifted her clothing, the smooth expanse of her lower back was exposed to Ludwik's view.

His gaze darkened at the sight of a large, purplish bruise marring her skin.

"You said they didn't kick you, didn't you?" His voice was stern and cold.

Startled, Whitney turned to see him, her face flushing as she quickly pulled her shirt down.

But Ludwik was already by her side, forcefully preventing her from moving, his annoyance apparent, "Why didn't you say you were hurt?"

Whitney bit her lip, her eyes reddening with unshed tears, "Did you give me a chance to speak? The moment you ensured the baby was fine, you walked away. I tried to explain, but you wouldn't listen."

He was momentarily lost for words.

His lips pressed into a thin line. He was still displeased. "I told you to stay home. You ignored that, sneaking off to the club. Did you think of the consequences?"

He was angry about that but did not know the whole story.

"I didn't disobey you, Mr. L. I wasn't at the club to misbehave. I was... tricked by Preston. The bartender said he'd had a fall, and no one could pick him up. I couldn't be heartless, so I foolishly went, only to be ambushed by him and my stepmother. Those men were hired to hurt me, to take their anger out on this child, to scare me. Yes, I deeply regret it, and I'm suffering the consequences. But it wasn't as your friend saw."

Whitney finished, her voice breaking, tears spilling over as she stubbornly turned her head to wipe them away.

She did not want him to see her weakness, her vulnerability.

But her fragile, tender state unwittingly tugged at Ludwik's heartstrings.

His eyes widened with surprise, then narrowed as he licked his lips and spoke in a husky voice, "Why didn't you tell me sooner that you were bullied? I thought you..."

The air between them was steamy, and his breathing was heavier.

She rose, her heartbeat quickening as she pulled her shirt down, "You should get some rest now."

"Come on, I patch you up, and that's how you repay me?" Ludwik's voice held a note of irritation.

“Come on, I’m just trying to avoid an awkward situation!” Whitney thought.

Not knowing how to respond, she asked, "What would you like me to do, Mr. L?"

Truth be told, he had not expected much from her—just the lack of a simple 'thank you' had ruffled his feathers.

He caught sight of her innocent eyes and decided to tease, "Didn't you say you'd dance for me when we got back? Breaking your promise?"

Whitney's cheeks flushed a furious shade of red.

She had said that in a moment of compromise, and he took it seriously?

Imagining herself dancing solo for him, Whitney glanced into his deep, captivating eyes and felt a shiver run through her.

She shook her head stubbornly. "How can I dance with an injury?"

"If you can't dance, then sing." He had heard her soft voice before; singing must be a treat.

Ludwik sauntered over to the couch, making himself comfortable as if settling in for a show.

It looked like he would not leave until she indulged him.

Biting her lip, Whitney suggested a compromise, "Fine, but you have to close your eyes while I sing..."

He agreed with a slight curve of his lips and obediently closed his eyes.

Caught in an awkward moment, Whitney parted her lips to sing. Her voice was ethereal, almost otherworldly, silencing the room with its purity.

But after a few lines, Ludwik's body tensed.

He suddenly gripped her shoulders, a hint of red in his eyes, "Why do you know this song?"