Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 766

She had given birth to two sons, yet she retained the air of a young woman. Only her deep, hazel eyes held the weight of her stories, like a fine red wine becoming richer and more tantalizing with time. "Ludwik, why are you staring at Mommy like that? You're gonna burn holes in her with that gaze."

Out of the blue, Danny's complaint cut through the air. He couldn't for the life of him understand what was so fascinating about Mommy's swimsuit - to him, it was downright ugly.

Sammy couldn't help but slap the back of the clueless troublemaker's head.

Come on, Ludwik wasn't even looking at the swimsuit, for crying out loud.

"Cough, cough." The innocent comment made Whitney's cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Ludwik, too, showed a hint of discomfort. Catching the blush on his lady's cheeks, he shot her a look and eased the awkwardness with a slight curve of his lips, "You two, get into the pool and soak a bit. Don't catch a cold standing around." "Danny, you can't swim, let Mommy hold you!"

Whitney quickly took her son into the water.

Sammy followed suit, sticking close to Mommy.

Ludwik, trying to win his son's favor, said, "Sammy, Mom can't handle both of you. Come with me to the deep end, and I'll teach you the butterfly stroke."

"I already know how to do that," Sammy replied indifferently. "Mom taught me ages ago. It's been three years, and you still haven't managed to teach Danny how to swim."

"..." Ludwik was momentarily ashamed.

He coughed slightly, explaining, "I didn't teach Danny before because he was frail, and the doctor said it wasn't suitable."

Seeing his patient explanation, Sammy felt a mix of emotions. His dad was undoubtedly flawed.

But considering how Danny often spoke of his father's heroic deeds with admiration, it was clear he had put in the effort in raising Danny.

Somehow, Ludwik's cautious and patient demeanor touched Sammy.

Admitting to himself that he had a kind heart, Sammy decided to spare his dad's feelings, "Well, I don't know the breaststroke. Maybe you could teach me that."

The breaststroke? For someone who knew the complex butterfly stroke?

Ludwik's eyes narrowed slightly, quickly catching on to Sammy's attempt to lighten the mood.

He didn't expose the boy's cute effort. Lately, Sammy had been less resistant, a promising sign.

He gently offered his hand, "Come, let Dad show you."

Suddenly, a splash from the other side caught their attention.

Following that was Whitney's panicked voice, "Danny! If you jump on me like that, I'll lose my balance..."

"Whitney!" Ludwik turned to see Danny and Whitney both tumbling into the hot spring.

The water wasn't deep, but the bottom was uneven with natural stones.

He swiftly swam over.

Sammy followed, "Mommy, get Danny up first."

The father and son reached Whitney's side. Ludwik, with his strong arms, quickly lifted Whitney from the water while pulling Danny up as well. Whitney, drenched and flustered, explained, "This little rascal got too excited and jumped on me. I lost my footing... Danny, are you okay?"

"Blugh... I'm fine." Danny spat out a mouthful of water, clinging to his dad's arm.

"Danny!" Ludwik scolded lightly, "Mommy is light. You can't just climb on her like that, understand?"

"I... I was just being playful. The water's supposed to hold us up, right? Besides, I've seen you climb on Mommy. I thought my weight wouldn't be a problem," Danny mumbled in regret.

The innocent words left Whitney and Ludwik speechless. Whitney's face turned incredulous, while Ludwik quickly glanced at her flushed cheeks and coughed to scold their son, "Danny, what are you talking about? When have I ever climbed on... on her." "..." Whitney stomped on him underwater.

Why even ask? Was his mind filled with holes?

Danny, ever so patient, recounted, "Back in Banyan City, you and Mommy went to South City for a trip. I saw from the hotel room door crack - you on top of Mommy. Sammy and I thought you were fighting..."

"Enough!" Whitney, remembering that incident, felt tears of frustration. Her face burned as she glared at Ludwik before quickly diverting her sons, "You nearly drowned, Danny. Stop talking so much and let Sammy take you to the kids' area to play with water guns." Sammy, catching on that this might be a topic not suitable for kids, quickly led Danny to the adjacent children's play area.

As the sounds of their sons playing filled the air, Whitney decided it was time to have a stern word with Ludwik, only to notice his muscular arm firmly around her waist, adjusting her twisted swimsuit. Water droplets traced down her fair neck, glistening as they slipped further...

Ludwik's gaze lingered.

"...Pervert, what are you looking at?" Whitney caught his intense stare, her cheeks flaming even more, hands instinctively moving to cover herself, only to realize her swimsuit was modestly designed.

Ludwik's lips curved, focusing on her reddened earlobe, "I wasn't looking anywhere specific.

If I wanted to, I'd have bought you a sexier swimsuit."

His handsome face was also dotted with water drops, the dim night light accentuating his sharp features, adding a hint of wicked charm, "With our sons around, I didn't want any man to see how sexy you can be, hence the conservative choice."

Whitney was at a loss for words, wondering how he could be so childish.

Her dumbfounded expression amused Ludwik. He stepped closer, his voice low and possibly teasing, "I'm sorry about what Danny mentioned... that time I climbed on you... I was drugged by Elaine Bartels, unaware that our son was spying, even waiting outside our suite." "Why bring that up! Ludwik, have you no shame?"

Whitney's neck blushed a deeper red as she pushed him away.

"I didn't want you to misunderstand, I failed to educate our son properly," he murmured lowly, his eyes sincere yet filled with innocence.

Whitney was at a loss for words.

In the steamy ambiance of the hot spring, her heart raced with warmth. She turned, thinking of making a quick escape to the shore, her mind flashing back to the moment a few days ago when he had pinned her against the bookshelf in the ballroom's library and kissed her, sending shivers down her spine.

"Don't go." Ludwik's voice was soft as he gently caught her hand.

With the usual pair of little troublemakers nowhere in sight, he couldn't let this rare moment slip by.

He had something important to say.

His gaze was intense as he spoke in a low voice, "That day, when Bryce's secretary suddenly passed away, I noticed it really affected you. You seemed so distraught. Did you sense something was off?"

Whitney stiffened, her lips pressed together, "What are you trying to say?"