Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Ludwik was oblivious to the chilling change in her demeanor.

Leaning in, captivated by her presence, he couldn't resist brushing aside her hair to seek out her cheek for a kiss. "Whitney..." he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

Startled, Whitney turned, her gaze icy as she struggled to distinguish between the memory captured in a photograph and the reality before her. Her chest felt tight, as if trampled by a hedgehog leaving behind a trail of painful pricks.

The photo, sent by Elaine with today's date-3 PM. Now it was 5.

Looking at Ludwik, so impeccably dressed, she scoffed at the thought that he had been drowning in work at Skyfaith, fasting in guilt as Danny suggested. She had hoped he'd share her concern for Sammy, feel the loss as deeply... But clearly, he didn't. While she was hanging on a thread after an argument with Elaine, he was out, meeting new women? Was he always this stranger she never truly knew?

Tears welled up in Whitney's eyes, overwhelmed by a surge of anger. "Whitney... what's wrong?" Ludwik's confusion was palpable as he noticed the coldness in her stare, his brows knitting in concern.

Whitney, her anger turning cold, slammed her phone against his chest. Trying to stay calm, despite the rage fueled by Elaine's betrayal, she forced a smile, "And where were you this afternoon, having fun?"

"I..." Ludwik started, caught off-guard by her accusation. He couldn't tell her about his mother's illness, the only donor they found, and the negotiations that had gone south, especially not the conditions they'd proposed... His instinct to conceal was stronger, his lips curving into a casual smile, "Why such a question? I was at the office. Are you checking up on me?"

Whitney's laughter was sharp as ice. She offered him a chance to explain, but he chose not to. Lies, then. Confirmation of his betrayal. Picking up her phone, she waved it in front of him, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Next time you sneak around, Mr. Lippert, at least wipe that smirk off your face. Oh, but considering our current situation, it's hardly sneaking around. More like taking a bite out of life while your son is missing and your mother's in the hospital. How delightful!"

Ludwik's expression froze as he saw the photo, his features hardening. He hadn't expected a simple outing to be twisted into a scandal. Snatching the phone from Whitney, he demanded, "Who sent you this?!"

"It's not what you think, Whitney! Nothing happened."

"Nothing? No joyriding while your son is missing? I thought you'd remember Sammy, that you'd care! But clearly, you haven't seen him, haven't raised him, so why would you care? He's missing, and you're out finding new loves?!"

Whitney's control shattered, her emotions teetering on the edge. She had only suspected an affair with Elaine, but this... She had underestimated this

man.

Ludwik, his frustration boiling over, his voice laced with anger and disbelief, "I've told you, I wasn't with another woman. These days haven't been easy for me either, Whitney. You don't need to be so bitter, so sarcastic with me. All I wanted was you, no one else. I wanted us to get back together!" His words fell on deaf ears as Whitney, unmoved by the photos that weren't manipulated, saw no explanation, only arrogance and domination. At this point, divorced and with their son gone, their relationship was beyond repair. He had no reason to explain himself to a former wife.

Realizing this, Whitney felt a cold resolve settle over her. Shaking her head, she looked at him, her voice calm, "Save your sweet talk. I've seen enough of your 'intentions.""

Ludwik stood frozen, a towering figure of despair, his heart sinking with each cold, merciless word from Whitney. Her misunderstanding cut deep-not caring for Sammy? As if everything he'd done was a joke. He had hoped for reconciliation, but was it truly so pathetic, so beneath her?

His pride shattered, Ludwik sneered, "Not forgive me? As if I'm desperate. Fine, don't. There're plenty of women out there!" With that, he turned, his heart aching, realizing he had lost more than he could bear-not by choice, but because she refused to give him even a sliver of hope.

Ludwik's departure was as cold as the distance between them, leaving behind a silence colder than winter itself. He scooped up a panicking and tearful Danny in his arms, taking large strides out of the room, tossing a command over his shoulder at Felix, "Get the little guy to the car!"

"I don't want daddy to leave! Please, make up with mommy. It's normal for girls to get a bit upset. She didn't really mean what she said about splitting up..." Danny frantically kicked his legs in distress.

Ludwik paused, a bitter and violent emotion crossing his face, "Stop lying to me!" He couldn't bear to hear those cold, heartless words again.

Driven by anger and frustration, Ludwik stormed out of the apartment. Downstairs, Bryce emerged from his car, his gentle hands holding a bouquet of flowers. As they came face to face, both men halted, a spark of anger flaring in Ludwik's eyes. Without a doubt, Bryce was here to see Whitney.

Approaching with a smile, Bryce nodded in greeting. Ludwik's cold demeanor shifted as he blocked Bryce's path, "What are you doing here?"Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

"Looks like Mr. Lippert got kicked

out, huh?" Bryce's taunt was casual as he stepped closer, leaning in and е glancing upstairs, "I'm here to see Whitney, of course. Her son went missing, she's been heartbroken. You might not know, but these past nights, it's been me who's been comforting her."

Every night, This man had been comforting her, but how? Ludwik could barely think, his body ignited with rage and jealousy. Whitney

wouldn't reconcile with him, had

hurled hurtful, ruthless words at him, and the next thing he knew, Bryce

was here to see her. Was it possible she had wanted to end things all along and had already found her next option?!

A red haze clouded Ludwik's vision as he, in a burst of fury, lashed out at Bryce—

"Daddy!" Danny's cry of alarm came from the car. Upstairs, Whitney heard her son's shout, followed by the sound of scuffling. Keegan and Torin emerged from their apartment next door, "Sounds like a fight!"

Whitney, still teary-eyed, hesitated for only a moment before rushing downstairs...