Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 1023

"Yeah," Sammy choked back a sob, pulling out a meticulously prepared little bell from his bag. He leaned over the glass incubator, affectionately calling out to his sister, "Angel! This is a smart charm your big brother made for you. When you get better, I'll strap a tiny smartwatch on you. If you're ever hungry or thirsty in your crib, just a little cry, and this charm will send a notification to Mom's phone. She'll come right away to take care of you.

You'll never feel alone again, always full and warm, with family by your side, watching over you.

We all cherish you like the most precious gem.

You are the Lippert family's little treasure, so you... you have to get better, hear me?

It's the first time Brother and Danny have come to see you. Can you hear us?

We love you so much."

"Angel?" Danny's eyes suddenly reddened as he also leaned over the incubator to call their sister.

Even though he was confused and didn't quite understand Sammy's explanation, looking at the tiny, pink baby, he saw Mom - Whitney's features in her!

Her little nose was perky, her lips had a hint of pink, and her eyelashes were long. Everything about her was so adorable and soft.

Danny felt no repulsion towards this unfamiliar infant. Instead, he felt an immense pity for her, stirring up a deep affection within him.

"She really is our sister, right... Sammy, she looks like Mom! So beautiful! But she's so tiny, why is that, why?" Danny turned, bewildered, to ask their dad.

Ludwik stroked his hair, his voice heavy, "Dad's sorry to her."

"Don't say that, Dad," Sammy turned around, earnestly saying, "Thank goodness for you, or sister wouldn't have been born safely! But seeing her like this, I finally understand why you didn't tell Mom. It hurts me so much, I can't accept it, let alone Mom..."

"Dad's worried too, about how much it would hurt your mom if we couldn't save her, if she could get through it," Ludwik crouched down, his deep eyes filled with endless tenderness for that woman.

He sighed deeply, taking each son by the hand, "When Mom was pregnant, she didn't know. I lied to her, and I regretted it immensely afterward, but it was too late; the embryo was taken by Florence. This child, she once lived inside Florence. Could your mom accept her?

That's one thing.

What I said earlier, that's another, Sammy, Danny, you've already seen your sister.

She's an unfortunate baby, but also a fortunate one, she's seen her brothers too.

If she doesn't make it soon... then let's keep her secret buried.

I don't want to add to your mom's grief, to let her come quietly and go quietly.

But if your mom finds out, having to accept losing a child might be a lifelong regret and heartache." Sammy understood.

Their sister was in a bad situation, and Dad was making a difficult decision with the best intentions.

He was preparing for the worst. He wanted to surprise Mom, not bring her sadness, shock, or forced regret, keeping the family from dwelling in unhappiness.

He wiped away his tears firmly, standing up close to the incubator, "Dad, we promise, Danny and I won't say anything. But we'll stay by sister's side until she wakes up. With so much love around her, I'll tell her stories about Mom every day. She'll want to open her eyes and see her beautiful mom, right, sister?"

"Right, who says sister is definitely going to leave us!" Danny roared, unable to bear the thought.

Suddenly remembering something, he frowned worriedly, "But if we don't tell Mom, what if she finds out soon? Wouldn't that be more trouble, Dad? You won't be able to explain then?" Ludwik had considered this possibility.

But in these few days, if his daughter couldn't make it through the critical period, it might be her last few days.

His eyes darkened deeply, "Right now, only you two know her background. Shane doesn't know, and he'll keep quiet about the child's matter too.

We just hope she gets better, and then, no matter who tells your mom, wouldn't it be good news?"

"Exactly, exactly, we need to stay close to sister. With her big brothers taking care of her, she'll definitely be strong. If the worst happens, at least we were there for her last moments... Ugh! I shouldn't say that, sister will wake up soon, and when Mom finds out, she'll be overjoyed!"

Danny comforted himself incessantly.

Ludwik stayed silent, watching his sons tenderly gaze at their sister, curious and keeping her company.

He felt a bit relieved, glanced at his watch, his mind preoccupied with urgent matters. Frowning, he said to his sons, "Dad has to leave the hospital for a few hours, to meet Mr. Doonan.

You two can stay here with your sister for a bit, but don't linger too long. I'm worried about Mom finding out if you come back late.

Uncle Shane is in the hospital. If anything happens, go to him, and don't stray from his sight."

"Okay! We got it, Dad. You go ahead," Sammy replied, his eyes full of sister, understandingly. Ludwik picked up his suit jacket, glanced at his three children, and strode out.

Outside the intensive care unit, a line of bodyguards stood watch vigilantly; he had no worries there.

The man got into his car; it was only noon. He had flown back in the morning, admitted his daughter to the hospital, visited his family, and was now off to meet Parker for news on Phineas's condition. There was no rest for him.

Ludwik lit a cigarette to clear his mind, frowning at his phone. Parker had sent him a hospital address, the most reputable neurology hospital in Emperor City. Neurology? Phineas was injured in the head?

His frown deepened, Ludwik quickly stubbed out the cigarette and floored the accelerator.

-

Whitney drove back to Delight Mansion, Yael Tennyson had said Uncle wasn't feeling well and asked her to check on him.

On the drive, her thoughts wandered, pondering over Ludwik's business in Eurovoria.

It felt like there was more to it than he had said.

For instance, what exactly did Florence take from him that required his personal retrieval?

She considered asking the Lippert family or Felix for more details.

And then, there was that unsettling statement from Elaine, urging her to rush back to Emperor City, claiming Florence had swiped something precious from her.

Could it be related to what Ludwik was after?

Whitney felt a twitch in her eyelid, the urge to hop on the next flight to Banyan City and confront Elaine again growing stronger.

Lost in thought, Whitney found herself standing at the villa's front door, forgetting to even knock.

It was Yael who, hearing footsteps, hurried to welcome her sister inside.

"Hey, sis, what are you doing out there daydreaming? Come in!"

"Oh, just mulling over some stuff. Is Uncle around?" Whitney stepped inside, swapping her shoes for indoor ones.

Keegan was in the living room, seated in his wheelchair, taking his medication. Noticing Whitney, he set down his cup and sighed, "Whitney, do you have some time to spare? I was hoping we could take a trip back to Banyan City, pay our respects to your granddad and mom." "Huh? What's up, Uncle?" Whitney looked up at him, puzzled.