Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 787

"Alright, you two can argue all you want, but I'm not giving the kids to either of you. I'll take care of them myself!"

Whitney felt the burning stares of the other parents at the school gate, embarrassment painting her cheeks as she took her two kids by the hand, turned to the teacher with a sincere apology, "I'm really sorry, Miss Johnson, for the misunderstanding today. It's been a bit of a day. From now on, unless it's me or our nanny picking them up, please don't let the kids go with anyone else. I appreciate your understanding, and the kids will be back to school next week."

"Of course, Mrs. Crawford, I understand. Sammy and Danny are always welcome here." The teacher, catching a glimpse of the drama, realized this family had its complexities but seeing the three luxury cars parked nearby, she knew they were well-off and decided not to make things difficult.

Whitney had Cody scoop up the kids into the car before she hurriedly followed, eager to leave the chaos behind.

"Whitney!" Bryce had initially used picking up Sammy as an excuse to force Whitney to show up, hoping to coax her back home. Seeing her leave, he immediately followed.

"Whitney," Ludwik, not to be outdone, also called out.

However, his sharp gaze was fixed on the mask Whitney wore throughout the ordeal. "Whitney, why are you wearing that mask?"

Whitney paused, her hand on the car door.

Bryce's expression immediately stiffened.

"Just a cold... Both of you, don't follow. The kids need some peace, let's not upset them further," she said before getting into the car, with Cody quickly driving off.

Left behind, Ludwik barely gave Bryce a second glance before turning to leave.

Bryce, furious, grabbed Ludwik by his shirt, his warning icy, "Ludwik, stay the hell away from Whitney, or I swear, I'll make you and your family pay, even wiping the Lippert name off the map."

Ludwik's icy glare intensified, "Finally showing your true colors, Bryce? Threats?"

"Try me!" Bryce spat back, the two alone now, wishing he could obliterate Ludwik with his stare, "Remember how you used my company to threaten me? Made it nearly impossible for me to survive in Emperor City. Tables turn, Ludwik. Remember your place, you're not in any position to challenge the Lutz Group, laughable."

He glared at Ludwik, having long harbored a desire to end him, especially after the recent fallout with Whitney, he was done holding back.

"We'll see about that," Ludwik sneered back, unbothered. "But let me remind you, a woman who's resisted you for years shows two things: your pitiful state and your lack of appeal. She'll never want you. No one desires the plains after seeing the mountains." With that, Ludwik stepped into his car and drove off, leaving Bryce seething, his ego bruised.

-

Back at Delight Mansion, Whitney's uncle's villa, life seemed to go back to normal for the kids. Danny, ever the forgetful one, quickly bounced back after his cry, happily chatting away with his uncle at dinner. Sammy, however, seemed lost in thought, gazing out the window. "Sammy, don't be upset," Whitney said gently, trying to comfort him. "Don't take to heart what Bryce said. You're just a kid; you shouldn't carry the weight of adult grievances. Follow your heart in who you want to be close to. Don't let my past burdens weigh you down." "I get it. But Mom, Bryce was partly right. Ludwik did so many wrong things to you, and I got swayed by his kindness in just a few days. He made breakfast for me and Danny, never missed a day, and seemed so capable... I feel ashamed for forgiving him so easily. I shouldn't have been happy these last few days."

"Sweetheart, the adult issues aren't yours to bear. Ludwik didn't intend to hurt us; he was kept in the dark by Elaine's schemes. He was at fault, yes, but also hurting. He did care for you and Danny before you were even born, he just couldn't accept the situation. Let's not live in resentment. If there's anyone to blame, let it be me. I just want you and Danny to grow up free from these shadows."

"Right! Mom's making sense!" Danny chimed in, nodding vigorously. "Sammy, you're overthinking it. What's wrong with having an extra dad? If he can spoil us, why not enjoy it? You should know, staying with mom, how hard raising kids can be."

Sammy rolled his eyes at Danny's simple logic, accusing him of betraying their mom's trust for a life of luxury at the Lippert residence.

Danny, caught off guard, mumbled a defense, "Come on, I'm just a kid who wants everything - parents, grandparents, and all. Is that so wrong?"

"No, Sammy, it's you who's being stubborn," Danny protested, clinging to their mom's arm, his logic seemingly wise beyond his years. "Think about it, isn't having one more dad a good thing? If he can provide for us and take care of us like a super nanny, why not?" The conversation, filled with mixed feelings of betrayal, acceptance, and childlike innocence, reflected the complex web of relationships Whitney and her children navigated, a testament to the resilience of a family trying to find peace amidst turmoil. "We should make him take us out more, work us like horses. That way, Mom can focus on her career, make tons of money."

And just last week, while watching the news with Grandma, they said something that got me thinking. If Dad doesn't support us now, even though we're his flesh and blood, when he gets old, it's our duty to look after him.

So, why let Dad off the hook now?"

"..." Sammy was speechless, finding this unreliable buddy's reasoning somewhat solid for once.

Whitney was equally baffled, "Danny, why on earth were you watching that kind of news with Grandma?"

"Grandma loves her some 'Today's Talk'. It's her thing."

Whitney couldn't shake the feeling that Camilla was up to something, brainwashing poor Danny.