Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 245
When Daniel Lippert, whose nickname was Danny, was too young to speak, fragile and sickly, he was under Elaine’s thumb.
But now, at three and a half, ever since he found his voice, he had stopped listening to Elaine. This little ingrate, true to her
mother Delphine’s words–a snake that could not be tamed. Recently, for some reason, he suddenly stopped calling Elaine
‘mom‘, realizing he was not like her. So young, yet so cold and defiant!
A shadow crossed Elaine’s eyes–a child born of that wretch could never be kept.
Once she had a child with Ludwik, she would find a way to dispose of him. With a new comfort for Ludwik, he would not grieve
too long.
For now, she would tolerate him–a little brat, easily duped by her cunning schemes.
Elaine took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax as she descended the stairs. The breakfast was already secretly prepared by
the maid.
She pretended to serve it.
When Ludwik and Daniel came downstairs, Elaine lifted her face with a feigned, gentle smile. Then, she overheard their
conversation.
“What’s with the pale face? Didn’t sleep well last night?”
The boy replied coolly, “Had a nightmare.”
The man paused, his noble hand caressing his son’s cheek. “I will sleep with you every night from now on.”
“Aren’t you supposed to spend a couple of nights with her?”
“Your mom can wait. You’re still young,” Ludwik said curtly.
Elaine’s smile froze.
Suddenly, the boy hung his head, murmuring, “Kids at preschool say you’ll get rid of me if you have a new baby.”
“Then we won’t have one,” Ludwik frowned, then realized something.

“Is that why you’ve been upset since morning?”
The little one coldly wriggled out of his embrace and headed for the table.
Ludwik’s gaze followed, landing on Elaine, “Elaine, Danny’s been having trouble sleeping. Let’s sleep separately tonight. You
heard us. He needs a sense of security. We can talk about having another child later. Anyway, the treatment is going to take
some time.”
It was not a discussion; when it came to this kid, Ludwik wouldn’t hear otherwise–Daniel was spoiled rotten.
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Elaine nearly crushed the dish in her hand, giving the child a venomous look. However, the next moment, she steadied her
breath and managed a loving smile. “Danny’s health has just improved these past months. Of course, he comes first.”
Ludwik seemed pleased, patting her shoulder. “You’re a good mom.”
Yet, the child sat at the table, appraising this ‘good mom‘ with a detached gaze.
Elaine continued the charade, bringing over a plate, “Danny! Mommy made your favorite chicken soup!”
Daniel tasted it and turned his face. “You didn’t make this. I can tell from the taste that Fleur made it. Why lie?”
An awkward silence filled the room; the maid, Fleur, shuddered and retreated into the kitchen.
Elaine was livid but stole a glance at Ludwik.

He sipped his coffee thoughtfully before speaking, “Your mom wants you to like her. We should be forgiving of a woman’s little
lies.”
Though he sounded forgiving, he mercilessly exposed the truth.
Elaine felt even more awkward. With her delicate fingers, how could she possibly make meals for this little bastard every day? In
fact, she even wished him weak and ill.
“Ludwik, I just didn’t have time this morning. Usually, I care for Danny myself.”
“I know. It’s just that he doesn’t like what you make. The little devil is picky; I’ll handle it.”
Ludwik’s tone was cold as he rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen.
Elaine watched, her resentment growing deeper. For three years, from baby food to meals, Ludwik did it all, even rushing home
for lunch to cook for the finicky child!
Would her own child ever receive such devotion?
Or was it because, after all, this child was Whitney’s?
The more Elaine thought, the angrier she became. Her gaze fixed on Daniel; she “accidentally” knocked over the cutlery box,
sending a fork flying onto the back of Daniel’s soft hand. The boy. still young, turned to Elaine and screamed.
“Ah!” A small cut appeared on his chubby hand.
“Hey! Old man!” Daniel howled towards the kitchen. “She hit me!”

Elaine quickly covered his mouth before Ludwik could hear the commotion and emerge from the kitchen. Pretending to stop the
bleeding, she squeezed the boy’s hand harder, turning his face purple, unable to cry out.
He struggled to reach Ludwik.
“What happened?” Ludwik emerged, brows knitted in concern.
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Elaine let go, feigning concern. “Ludwik, Danny was careless with the cutlery. It’s my fault for not watching him, and he hurt
himself. Fleur, get a band–aid!”
“You’re lying. You hit me,” Daniel sobbed weakly.
Ludwik glared, examining the scattered cutlery and his son’s defiant demeanor.
Elaine’s eyes reddened. “Danny, Mommy loves you. How could I hurt you? Let it go, Ludwik, as long as he’s happy. But Danny,
you really can’t play with these things again. What if you get hurt?”
She caressed his head, the picture of affection.
Ludwik sighed, fixing a band–aid on his son, then lectured sternly, “This is your mom. Don’t let me see you disrespect her again,
slandering her. Where did you pick up such bad habits?”
“I didn’t.” Daniel bit his lip, his beautiful face cold yet aggrieved. “Ask the maids. They saw her hit me!”
Fleur and the maids bowed their heads in silence.
Elaine remained calm; her word was law in this house.
Ludwik surveyed the room. “I know you’re mischievous. Your “Little Demon” title in preschool is deserved.”
He blew gently on the wound, the pain hitting deep.
Unexpectedly, the boy pushed his father’s handsome face away, his little cheeks red with anger, his eyes blazing with fury yet
helpless. Finally, he huffed, “Stinky Dad! I’m not eating. I’m going

to Grandma’s.”
“Stay put. Finish your meal first.”
Ludwik’s face turned stern. “And stop throwing tantrums. Enough is enough. You’re going to preschool today, no exceptions.”
“Nobody likes me there. I’m not going!” Little Daniel’s face flushed with distress.
Elaine watched the father–son quarrel unfold with a sly grin. So, they thought they could outsmart her?
With a saccharine smile, she turned her gaze to the little outcast and cooed, “Ludwik, don’t be too hard on Danny. If he doesn’t
want to go to the international preschool, it must be because he’s had a little tiff with the other children. Why don’t I take him to
the regular class? I’ve heard the kids there are more down–to–earth. Maybe Danny could make some friends there.”
At her words, a wave of panic washed over Daniel’s eyes.
The regular class was where the chubby kid who tormented him relentlessly was. This woman was doing this on purpose. She
knew that he had asked his father to sleep in his room to prevent Daddy from having a new baby with her.