Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 681

"Sweetie, Mommy will always be here for you," Whitney promised, her brows knitting thoughtfully. "Danny, now that Bryce will be staying with us, if you ever find yourself in that kind of situation again, remember to call me, okay?" Danny's lips, previously pressed into a thin line, relaxed into a smile. Yay, Mommy doesn't like being close to Bryce!

It seemed he had found his answer and, feigning innocence, he asked, "Mommy, do you not like it when Bryce hugs you?"

"...Let's not talk about grown-up stuff, honey," Whitney brushed off, continuing with the bath, though internally sighing. She didn't want to involve the kids, but if it meant keeping the peace for one more day...

Perhaps it was still too soon. After all, she had just separated from Ludwik and wasn't ready to welcome another man into her life just yet. Maybe she was just old-fashioned.

Lost in her thoughts, Whitney finished bathing Danny and carried him upstairs to the kids' room, only to find Sammy missing.

Her instincts kicked in, "Where's your brother?"

"Sammy? Oh, he's in the study messing with the computer, said he had some work to do."

Whitney remembered Sammy handling some matters for Natalie, likely involving some payments. He was always so mature for his age.

"I'll go find your brother, you..."

Turning around, Whitney saw Danny holding her phone, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Danny, what are you doing with my phone? If you want to play games, I can get you the tablet..."

"Mommy, it's Daddy... he called."

Danny said hesitantly, scratching his head, "And I kinda answered it by accident."

"..." Whitney paused for a moment.

She took the phone from Danny, her brows furrowed, and stepped onto the balcony, closing the door behind her. There was silence on the other end of the line.

The night air of October was cool, blowing her hair around her face as if to stifle her breath.

For a moment, she thought the call had been disconnected.

Looking down, she saw the call was still connected, but the man on the other end remained silent.

Whitney wasn't sure what to say, having heard from Shane that Ludwik had been injured in jail...

She started, keeping her tone somewhat distant, "Ludwik, did you need something from Danny?

I heard you were injured. If that's the case, the kids are better off here with me. You agreed to that last time, letting me take care of them."

Ludwik couldn't believe she didn't know that this call was meant for her.

Yet, he played along with her words, his voice rough, "Nothing much, just wanted to hear their voices.

Are they doing alright?"

"They're fine. Danny and Sammy play together happily every day."

Whitney guessed he might be in the hospital, likely under police surveillance, unaware of Natalie's actions.

Feeling a bit melancholic, she added, "If that's all..."

"I haven't heard Sammy's voice," the man's voice was hoarse.

"He's busy with the computer in the study."

Ludwik paused, then his voice grew dark, "I won't fight you for the kids anymore. Relax, take good care of them.

I'll just watch over you and them from a distance. That'll be enough for me.

After all, I'm not likely to marry or have more children. Danny and Sammy are my only sons.

I used to have a fortune to leave them.

Now... I've pretty much lost everything.

I won't be a burden to them."

Ludwik's heart felt heavy, unsure if he would ever recover fully.

Now, at his lowest, he knew he couldn't be the source of happiness for them.

If a woman no longer instinctively submits to a man, how could he keep her?

Whitney, listening to his somber words, was stunned.

She knew Ludwik well. His usual arrogance and cold dominance made such despairing words unbelievable.

What did he mean by 'not marrying or having children again'?

Even if the Lippert family was in trouble, it shouldn't have brought him to such despair. Had he ever given up before?

This didn't sound like the fierce, proud man she knew.

"Why are you talking like you're settling your final affairs?" Whitney asked, shocked by her own words.

"Heh, you'd probably be happy if I disappeared," Ludwik's bitter self-mockery came through.

Whitney frowned, wanting to ask more but not wanting to seem concerned, she remained cold, "Once the case with Parker is settled, you can still visit the kids occasionally." "Whitney..." Ludwik suddenly called her by her nickname softly.

Whitney's ears tingled, his husky voice wrapping around her uncomfortably. He sounded so tender it left her at a loss.

"Is there anything else?"

"Be careful with Bryce."

Ludwik warned her sternly, "Bryce is far from simple!"

Whitney expected him to say something else but instead, he was attacking Bryce again.

Her beautiful face instantly turned cold, "What are you trying to say?

I know Bryce isn't simple; if he were, he wouldn't have made it to where he is in Emperor City.

You belittled him, forced him out of Emperor City, and now that he's made a comeback, you're jealous?

Ludwik, if you're going to badmouth my husband, then shut it."

Her husband...

Those words pierced Ludwik's heart like needles.

He wanted to grab her, threaten her not to say such things, to throw her onto a bed and make her understand fear.

But now, he no longer had the strength to give her happiness.

A man whose very presence a woman no longer instinctively respects, how could he hold onto her?

Ludwik persisted, "I'm not speaking ill of him. I'm worried Bryce holds a grudge against you, and he might be plotting revenge." "You're still driving a wedge, aren't you?" Whitney snapped, angered by his past actions.

She retorted, "You think a few words from you will make me leave him?

Ludwik, because of your meddling in the wedding, I owe him a lifetime.

He saved me, didn't despise me, how could he possibly hate me?

On the contrary, it's you who's vile. I'm telling you, even if Bryce and I divorced, I wouldn't choose you!"

Ludwik stubbornly continued, "You don't understand."

"I've sent you a clip, from our honeymoon night at the resort. I recorded it, sent it over to Bryce."

"What?"

Whitney's mind exploded, disbelief coursing through her, wave of embarrassment washing over her. "You recorded what?" "...You'll know once you see it."

Ludwik's voice was low, almost a whisper, "That kind of video, no man could simply brush off.

If Bryce showed any sign of hurt, jealousy, or anger towards you after you came back, that would've been expected.

But if he didn't mention it at all, kept being forgiving and generous, kept declaring his love for you...

Then you should be wary. After all, a man who can swallow that kind of pride must be twisted and terrifying inside."