Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Whitney glared at him, her frustration boiling over. "I know Bryce isn't perfect, but he's good to me. How many genuinely good men have I met in this world? Were you ever one of them?"

Her words left him without a comeback, acknowledging his past mistakes that hurt her.

Dropping her gaze, Whitney spoke softly, "I've looked into Bryce's background, and there's nothing concerning. Please, stop trying to drive a wedge between us."

Ludwik narrowed his eyes, taking her hand solemnly. "I'm just stating the facts. You're being fooled by his facade, Whitney. Like this morning, you thought him reporting to the police was an act of transparency, right? But after you left, I saw Bryce meeting with the chief of police, who was all nods and bows. Does that sound like a simple relationship to you? I bet Bryce was there to ensure the chief doesn't actually look into Tiana's disappearance!"

Whitney was taken aback, confusion flashing in her eyes. "Ludwik, those are serious accusations. Do you have any proof? Why would he report it in front of me but then stop the investigation behind my back? Does he have a vendetta against Tiana?"

She remembered Tiana disliking Bryce towards the end, but there was no deep-seated hatred.

"It's all part of his scheme to win your trust! And his reluctance to investigate Tiana's case might just prove he's involved in her disappearance. He's guilty, that's why."

Ludwik's warning, paired with his cold gaze, left Whitney in turmoil.

"This isn't the first time you've said this, but do you have solid evidence?"

"If I did, Bryce would be behind bars already," Ludwik shot back, his eyes flashing with anger. "But I'll make him pay one day. And remember, he can't offer you lasting happiness. You're better off without him."

Whitney's patience snapped at his last remark.

She kicked him away, infuriated. "Do you really think I married him for that? Not everyone is as shameless as you. All this sounds like your speculation. How can I trust you? And if he did go after you, maybe you deserved it for kidnapping his wife. I wanted to be rid of you myself back on that island."

Ludwik looked at her with a mixture of sadness and resignation, realizing during their intimate moments, she had thought of nothing but harming him. Now, it seemed she might actually do it.

Seeing her unconvinced, he felt a mix of frustration and helplessness. Was she really going to wait until hitting rock bottom to see the truth?

"Fine, I'll prove what kind of man Bryce really is. But if you don't believe me, just wait for the police to make no progress on Tiana's case. Then ask Bryce yourself!"

Whitney frowned, dismissing his curse. "Tiana will be found. You're just selfish and tyrannical, trying to break us up because you can't stand seeing me with Bryce. It's despicable."

Ludwik, accepting his role as the villain, retorted, "Yes, I'm despicable. Any man you find after me will have to pass my test to ensure his character is sound."

"Arrogant fool, dream on," Whitney snapped, losing her temper and aiming a kick at him.

Ludwik winced but trapped her leg between his, his gaze intense. "Kick me all you want. It's not like it makes any difference now."

"Shameless," she muttered, her face turning red as he didn't let her go.

Their struggle brought them closer, and despite the situation, Whitney couldn't help but react to his scent and proximity. Embarrassed and angry at her own response, she fell silent.

Ludwik, pleased with his control, teased her about her reaction, only to be told to shut up.

"I can't sleep like this," Whitney protested, her voice a mix of anger and desperation, not wanting to disturb the peacefully sleeping Danny next to them.

"I'm not afraid of your hatred," Ludwik confessed, his voice breaking with emotion. "Whitney, I still love you. I can't help but be drawn to you..." Whitney interpreted his affection as lechery, cursing him bitterly.noveldrama

As they argued, Whitney's anger eventually gave way to exhaustion, and she fell asleep in his arms, unaware of Ludwik's tender gaze that followed her from frustration to peace.

He kissed her gently, apologizing in silence. If only she hadn't married Bryce, he might have let her go. But he couldn't stand by and watch her make a mistake with someone like Bryce.

The next morning, Whitney was woken by Danny tickling her face with a feather, reminding her she was in Ludwik's house, a place filled with complicated emotions and unresolved tensions.

Turning her gaze towards her son's stoic little face,

Whitney chuckled, "Well, aren't you a cheeky little rascal, getting all sprightly after just one night. Decided to start teasing your mom, huh?"

"Mom, you really came last night, huh? I'm so touched."

Danny, feigning innocence with a grin, asked, "Did you sleep in dad's bed last night?"

"Cough. Cough cough... Well, yes and no. I was actually planning to leave, but then we got into an argument and I accidentally fell asleep," Whitney explained, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Arguing is good, at least Mom's willing to talk to that jerk of a dad.

Danny pondered, feeling secretly delighted on his own.

Whitney couldn't figure out what he was so happy about, reaching out to touch his forehead, "You seem fine, no fever.

But your bandage is all crooked. Let mom fix that for you, we don't want the wound getting infected."

Saying so, she was about to get up and look for the first aid kit.

But then she noticed, glancing around, that it was just her and Danny in the bedroom; Ludwik was nowhere to be found.

"Though, where did I put that first aid kit?"

Danny immediately tried to stop her, touching the fake 'wound' on his head, "Mom, it still kinda hurts, changing the dressing now might make it hurt more, let's just leave it, okay?"