Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"It's no problem at all, I'll crash in the guest room," Bryce offered with a considerate tone, making sure not to trouble her. Whitney instantly felt a wave of relief wash over her, nodding gratefully. "Thank you for being so understanding, Bryce..."

"But as much as I understand, Whitney, you can't just spend all your time with the kids and leave me hanging," Bryce joked with a low chuckle, wrapping his arms around her in an affectionate embrace, winking playfully. "You know, I'm just a regular guy too. Don't make me wait too long, okay?"

"I... Bryce... okay," Whitney stammered, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red.

Bryce mistook her blush for shyness, leaning in to whisper, "Whitney..." as he kissed her hair gently.

Whitney froze up even more, instinctively ducking her head to avoid further contact. Despite trying to relax, she tensed up as the scent of Bryce's cologne filled her senses-a stark contrast to Ludwik's subtle, clean fragrance that seemed to linger with warmth and strength.

Her heart felt tight, confused at her own reactions. Why was she thinking of Ludwik while in Bryce's arms? Was it because she hadn't been close enough to Bryce before their marriage? Or had the past month with Ludwik, with his constant affection and kisses, left her too accustomed to his presence?

Shaking off the intrusive thoughts, Whitney realized she needed to focus.

"Whitney, holding you like this feels so right," Bryce said, feeling her stiffness but refraining from pushing further. He gently let go, changing the subject. "So, when do you plan to go to the police station? The case about Ludwik kidnapping you is still open. I even got a call from the cops yesterday."

Whitney hesitated, troubled, but she couldn't deny the truth in Felix's words. She didn't want to hurt her children too deeply.

Now remarried, with children to consider and facing Bryce, she felt overwhelmed. After composing herself, Whitney looked up, "Bryce, I'm sorry. I can't agree to press charges. Danny and Lily are now part of the Lippert family. If Ludwik goes to prison, it could really affect them. They might not say it, but deep down, they still have feelings for Ludwik. If I go too far, I could hurt their innocent hearts, and I can't bear the thought of them being ridiculed for having a father who's a kidnapper..."

Listening to her reasons, Bryce's warm face turned stormy. His tone suddenly changed, "Whitney, all you think about are your sons. Have you thought about me? If you don't press charges, what will people say? They'll think you were willing, that during our marriage, you let Ludwik have his way with you. They'll call you names, and say you were unfaithful, making me a laughingstock. How can I hold my head high? No matter how successful I am, I'll always be mocked. Have you ever considered my feelings?"

Hearing his angry voice and sensing his barely concealed frustration, Whitney felt a deep fear, lost for words. "I didn't mean to ignore your feelings. I agreed before without thinking about the kids. Bryce, I'm sorry. Can't we think of the children?"

"Bryce, could it be that you haven't moved past Ludwik?" his anger turning into hurt.

"You know what I'm most afraid of? Not what happened between you two in the past month, but that he's recaptured your heart. Is it some kind of twisted love you can't let go? No matter what I do, how much I love you, I'm always last in your heart. Am I really that unimportant to you?"

"I... I didn't..." Whitney tried to explain, but Bryce, with a cold look and a bitter laugh, left the house in anger.

"Whitney, what happened?" Tiana appeared, having overheard their low argument. Seeing Bryce's departure, she asked, "Why did he leave like that? He seemed really upset. What did you guys talk about?"

Standing under the dim porch light, Whitney felt a profound weariness. "Tiana, let's not tell Uncle about this."

"Okay, but..." Tiana replied, puzzled but obedient as they went back inside.

At the hospital, Jason Lippert was slowly coming back to life after a close brush with death. A gentle figure had been by his side, caring for him with a tenderness that felt both familiar and distant.

As he finally opened his eyes, he heard her instructing the nurse about his care, "Remember, Jason gets pain around 2 a.m. Make sure to massage his limbs to prevent muscle atrophy."

"Natalie, but haven't you been the one staying up with him every night? You seem so worried, barely sleeping. Even the doctors said his recovery owes much to your care. You're not staying tonight?"

"It's nothing," Natalie replied, her gaze lingering on Jason with a hidden affection. "I heard Ludwik might visit tonight. Don't let on that I've been here. And if Jason asks, don't mention me either. They don't need to know."

The nurse, aware of the complex family dynamics but not fully grasping them, agreed, understanding only that Natalie was Ludwik's mother and Jason's legal wife, a relationship shrouded in layers of unsaid emotions and hidden stories.

The nurse nodded, "Alright, Natalie, mum's the word."

Through his blurry vision, Jason watched a figure move towards the door, growing more distant from him.

He thought he caught a glimpse of her elegant profile...

His head felt heavy, and he closed his eyes, powerless.

Twenty minutes after Natalie left, Ludwik appeared in the hospital corridor.

A bodyguard reported to him truthfully, "Natalie just left not long ago.

She's been here taking care of the old man these past few days, but she didn't want you to know."noveldrama

Ludwik paused, his brows furrowing. His mother had been secretly taking care of his father?