Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



"Sure thing," Parker replied, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel-a giveaway to his reluctance. "Going to check on Tiana?"

Parker's expression stiffened at the mention.

"Who's going to see her? If I'm visiting anyone, it's my little niece."

The image of Cherry's chubby cheeks popped into Parker's mind, but the term 'little niece' seemed to choke him up.

Ludwik slid into the passenger seat, his deep-set eyes half-closed, saying nothing.

As Parker drove out of the underground parking, he handed Ludwik a cigarette and glanced at the towering headquarters of the Lippert Group through the car window. "I heard Florence was looking for you at the office today. You left as soon as she arrived and gave her the cold shoulder in front of everyone. What are people going to think about your engagement?"

Ludwik looked up, unbothered. "What others think is none of my business. Is her embarrassment my doing?"

Parker got the hint, raising an eyebrow. "She pushed you into an engagement deal and now you're getting back at her? Fair enough. Florence always did have a taste for power, let her swallow the bitter pill. I thought you were engaging her as part of some scheme to lure out Sammy. But tearing into her like this, what's your real plan?"

With a cold glint in his eyes, Ludwik said, "Let her sweat it out. When she's desperate enough to salvage our relationship and comes begging, that's when I'll make my move."

Parker nodded in agreement, giving a thumbs up. "She's kept Sammy well-hidden. We need to catch her off-guard to get any information." "Right," Ludwik agreed, leaning back and checking the time, frowning. "Speed up.'

Parker chuckled. "Dude, we're in the city! That eager to see Whitney?"

He closed his eyes, not denying it.

Bryce took his leave.

Whitney was helping Tiana pack her bags when the doorbell rang. Unsure who it might be, she sent Danny to answer it.

Cherry sprinted ahead of Danny, climbed onto a stool, and unlocked the door.

The door swung open too quickly, and she stumbled forward into a broad, lean embrace.

"Oops..."

Parker caught a full armful, looking down to see a little pink bundle with familiar brows and eyes. His heart skipped a beat. "Daddy!" Cherry recognized the handsome uncle she'd seen in Banyan City, on TV, and now in real life. He looked just like her!

For a moment, Parker almost thought he had a daughter.

The sweet call of "daddy" surged through his veins.

"Kid, you gotta get down."

"No, Daddy, I want you to hold me!" Cherry clung to Parker's neck.

Inside, Tiana was stunned at the sight.

Ludwik caught a glimpse of Parker and the little girl, his brows furrowing slightly. He'd seen Barclay before, but even Barclay didn't resemble the girl this much.

"Ludwik!" Danny's cool voice cut through Ludwik's thoughts. "What are you here for?"

Ludwik stood tall at the doorway, his gaze searching the room for Whitney. He took his son's hand, smiling slightly. "Didn't you invite me?"

"Mama doesn't want to see you!" Danny's tone was icy, his demeanor proud.

"It doesn't matter. I want to see her," Ludwik admitted truthfully.

Danny pouted, thinking how shameless Ludwik was to show up like this, especially after he'd just managed to send Bryce packing—not to help Ludwik, but because he simply couldn't stand the guy.

"Thanks. If you hadn't sent him away, I would've found a way to make him leave," Ludwik said, lowering his voice to speak to his son. "Has your mom been taking her medication properly?"

et

"She said her stomach was still upset. Tiana suggested getting some stomach medicine, but I stopped her. Mama said she could endure it, so she didn't take any of her own meds. But, Ludwik, why shouldn't Mama take her medicine?"

Ludwik's expression was serious. "Taking medicine carelessly isn't good for her. She's been a bit weak lately, and you need to watch over her for her own good."

Danny was skeptical but too young to understand. "Okay, I'll keep an eye on her."

Ludwik softly ruffled his son's hair.

Parker was silently amused. Only Ludwik could handle his clever son like this.

Ludwik knocked on the door gentlemanly before stepping inside.

Whitney, wiping her hands, approached. "Danny, is it the hotel's maintenance crew?"novelbin

Her gaze suddenly met Ludwik's. The tall man's presence made the spacious room feel cramped.

Whitney's face turned cold, her brows knitting together.

Ludwik maintained a respectful distance, his eyes lingering on her indifferent expression. "Don't get me wrong. I'm here to see my son." Whitney found herself speechless, unable to ask him to leave.

His attention then shifted to her midsection, and she instinctively turned away. "Danny! Your guest is here. I'd suggest talking in the lobby."

She didn't want to see him, but Ludwik's mood darkened at her reaction.

"Is Ms. Melford staying here?" he asked, not stepping any further, trying to engage her in conversation.

He noticed Tiana's luggage in a corner of Whitney's bedroom.

Ludwik frowned. "Seems crowded here. What do you think, Ms. Melford?"

Tiana was caught off guard by the direct challenge. She'd always been intimidated by Ludwik in Banyan City, and now, faced with the distinguished heir of Harmonia Country, her fear was palpable.

"I just arrived today. Whitney said I could stay..." Tiana stammered.

Whitney silently wondered why Tiana was so wary of Ludwik.

"I invited her to stay. Got a problem with that?"

"I have no objections." Ludwik's gaze rested on her pale face, clearly disagreeing despite his words.

She was pregnant, even if it was early days.

Pulling out his phone, he made a

quick, low-toned call, then said, "The suite next door is available. Ms. Melford wanting to stay close to her bestie is great, but I suggest MS Melford and her daughter stay next door. It's close yet spacious. You guys can still be as thick as thieves."

Whitney: ...

Who said he could make decisions for her?

Her cheeks flushed with anger, a clear sign of her irritation. Ludwik, not wanting to upset her further, quickly added, "Ms. Melford, the choice is

ultimately yours."

"I..." Tiana felt pressured.

Danny came over, arms crossed,

trying to mediate, "I think it's a solid suggestion is a bit cramped here. Mom, can't you see the difference between deadbeat dad and Bryce? Bryce was all for Tiana finding her own place, he just didn't want her cramping his style! But deadbeat dad, he isn't selfish like that, he's thinking about how you feel, making sure you're happy. Get it?"

Danny was obviously trying to make Bryce look bad, hoping his mom would see through him.

Whitney: ...

Ludwik couldn't help but look at his son with pride, glad to see he had a good head on his shoulders.

Tiana slowly came to a realization, "So, Mr. Lutz was actually being thoughtful? Whitney, Mr. Lutz is a bit sneaky, huh, getting jealous over me. Compared to Mr. Lippert, he's...oh."

Catching Whitney's icy stare, Tiana immediately clammed up, torn and finally leaving the decision to Cherry, "Sweetie, do you think we should stay next door?"