Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 764

Danny's voice was laced with a mischievous excitement.

"Hot springs?" Whitney frowned.

"Yeah, Dad mentioned that nothing beats soaking in a hot spring after some outdoor winter activities. Sammy and I have never tried it, and we're pretty stoked to give it a go."

Whitney thought there wasn't anything inherently wrong with Ludwik's plan for the kids after a soccer game.

But why was she being invited?

Going to a hot spring meant... meeting Ludwik in a swimsuit?

Just the thought made her face flush with embarrassment... No way.

"Danny, here's what we'll do!

After you're done with your activities, just text me the address, and I'll come pick you and Sammy up."

"But Dad said it'll be late, and besides, Sammy and I really want you to come play soccer with us.

It's a family thing, Mom, do you get what family activities are all about?"

A trace of guilt crossed Whitney's face. Since she had brought Sammy back to the country and accepted her two sons, she hadn't really spent any meaningful time with the kids alongside Ludwik.

The kids' longing for family activities was natural.

Was she really going to cruelly deny them that?

"Mom, please come." Suddenly, Sammy's voice came through the phone.

Whitney was surprised. Sammy awkwardly explained, "It's just that Danny is so looking forward to it. Even though it sounds childish, I don't want to spoil his fun. Besides, after observing for a couple of days, Ludwik and the Lippert family... have been pretty decent to me." Whitney was taken aback. Getting Sammy to show a positive attitude was no small feat.

What had Ludwik done to win over her son so quickly?

She was both curious and slightly envious, but she could only agree to Sammy, "Alright then, we'll talk more when we meet."

When she was about to leave around three in the afternoon, Ludwik sent her the soccer field's address through Felix's Facebook.

He also called her, repeating, "Whitney, you decide whether to come to the soccer field to watch the boys play or go directly to where we'll be eating later. I can send you that location too..."

"Enough already."

Whitney was suddenly uncomfortable with his 'doting husband act'.

They weren't in that kind of relationship; they were just trying to do a family activity for the kids' sake.

She drove to the international soccer field.

Upon arrival, the field was deserted, clearly reserved by Ludwik.

Danny and Sammy, in their little soccer uniforms, were joyfully playing soccer on the lush green lawn, their energy seemingly boundless, typical of young boys.

And the man standing nearby, in a white soccer uniform, his vest outlining his well-proportioned muscles, his strong arms, and the soccer shorts that seemed long but perfectly complemented his remarkably long legs, basking in the sun, making him look irresistibly charming and powerful. Whitney caught a glimpse and was momentarily stunned.

She had never seen Ludwik in professional sports attire before.

At a glance... he appeared even younger and more vibrant than the handsome young men at the college gym...

...adding a touch of mature male allure.

Damn.

She quickly averted her gaze.

But some people are just too eye-catching, effortlessly drawing attention wherever they stand.

He was casually playing with a soccer ball, teaching his sons how to kick, his deep gaze catching sight of the little woman arriving, immediately leaving the kids behind, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand and walked over with long strides, "Whitney!" Whitney swallowed, even his gesture of wiping sweat seemed effortlessly cool.

Was he trying to seduce her?

She shook her head at herself, rather annoyed, deliberately finding fault, "Ludwik, it's cold and you're letting the boys sweat so much. From a traditional medicine perspective, it's easy for them to catch a cold, you know?"

"Mom!" Danny ran over happily, his little soccer player's forehead glistening with sweat, "It's okay. Dad has been changing our sweatbands, look."

The little guy tugged at his shirt collar to reveal a sweatband.

It even had their names embroidered on it.

Ludwik caught Whitney's surprised look and his lips curved slightly, "Their grandma embroidered it for them. Her eyesight isn't what it used to be; it took her two days. She said the kids look so alike, their clothes need names sewn on to tell them apart." The Lippert family matriarch, then.

Indeed, she was a kind-hearted old lady.

Whitney felt a mix of emotions; she, as their mother, had never done anything so thoughtful.

But she remained stubborn, "There's nothing that can't be distinguished. I'm their mother; I can tell them apart with my eyes closed."

"They're not quite the same. Sammy seems gentle, Danny seems aloof, but actually, deep down, they're the opposite," Ludwik analyzed with agreement.

Whitney glanced at him, "Are you guys done playing?"

"Not yet, Mom, we want you to join the game!" Danny took a sip of water.

Sammy jogged over from a distance, noticing his mom's small heels, "Danny, Mom's not dressed for it, let it be."

"Oh, right. Mom, why didn't you wear sneakers?"

Whitney looked down, patting her pencil pants, embarrassed, "Rushed out and forgot."

"You're used to the office dress code, and you look good in it, your legs look long and elegant," the man beside her commented with a deep, appreciative look.

Whitney's face flushed; even though he was just making an objective comment, she felt like there was a hint of male admiration.

She glared at Ludwik silently, choosing to ignore him.

Walking over, she took Sammy's hand, "Sammy, how have you been staying with the Lippert family these past few days?"

As she asked, Ludwik instantly tensed up, his gaze shifting to Sammy.

Heaven knows, the Lippert family had been trying desperately to please this little tyrant, fearing he would feel alienated.

"It's been okay..." Sammy's proud face showed a touch of indifference.

Ludwik breathed a sigh of relief. Considering his son's strong opinions against him, hearing 'it's okay' felt like a rave review. His lips curved slightly, "Sammy, when we get back, I'll ask grandpa and great-grandma to make some improvements. Hopefully, next time you stay, your experience will be very satisfying."

Sammy rolled his eyes at his dad, thinking, "Come on, you're the one who needs to shape up, big time."

But he didn't bother voicing that out loud, not wanting to make mom feel awkward in the middle of it all.

Anyway, it was clear as day that mom and Ludwik were history.

"I'm glad to hear you're doing okay," Whitney said with a smile, gently pinching his cheek.

Truth be told, her visit wasn't about taking the boys back with her. If Sammy could stay at the Lippert's a bit longer, Whitney preferred to let her sons be. It would give her the peace of mind she needed to confront Bryce alone and delve into the mysteries of Audrey's death and Tiana's disappearance.

"Since we're wrapping up here, how about I take you guys to get changed and cleaned up? We can grab some dinner and then head out to soak in the hot springs," Ludwik suggested, tossing the football into its bin and giving Whitney a tender look. "Whitney, why don't you sit tight and wait for us here?"