Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 221

“Me and him… It’s impossible now,” Whitney thought but said nothing.

Ludwik had set his heart on getting engaged, and soon, he would be walking down the aisle with

Elaine.

And here she was, playing pretend with Bryce.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Whitney pushed aside her thoughts and answered, “Mr. Lutz…”

“You might want to start getting used to calling me ‘Bryce‘ today, okay?”

His voice was smooth, with a hint of magnetism, and he chuckled. “Are you at home? If you’re free, get

ready. I’m sending someone to pick you up and take you to the bridal boutique. My mother has been on

my case since dawn. I’m in a bit of a bind.”

Whitney remembered he wanted to use the excuse of dress shopping to have Claire meet her.

Even if she was not free, she had to make time. Thus, Whitney replied, “Sure, I’ve just finished up

here.”

After hanging up, she put on her sunglasses for a bit of incognito before helping Taryn into the car.

Taryn carefully hid the medicine deep in her shopping bag and bid her farewell.

Whitney waited on the curb, and sure enough, Bryce’s car arrived swiftly.

At the entrance of Banyan City’s largest bridal boutique, Whitney stepped inside to find Bryce’s tall

figure waiting for her.



He took her small purse and gently cradled her waist. “The drive from your apartment was a long one.

Must’ve been tiring, huh?”

Whitney shook her head, her clear hazel eyes meeting his. “Where’s your mother?”

“She’s too proud to come here early, even if she’s eager to see her ‘future daughter–in–law.‘ She’s

probably still making circles on her way here.”

He painted a vivid picture, and Whitney could not help but laugh. She could just picture the old lady

being both a relic and a rascal, much like her own mother–happy or not, she was always childlike, often

teasing Ludwik.

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Lost in thought, Whitney’s spirits dipped.

Bryce observed the play of emotions across her face, as changeable as the June sky. He could almost

guess what she was thinking. This little woman full of stories was moved by memories right now, and

her every glance was both beautiful and captivating.

Bryce had to admit that Whitney was drawing him in deeper and deeper, even without really

Chapter 221

doing much.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he took her hand, his eyes sparkling with joy. “While we wait for her, shall

we take a look around? This place isn’t just about wedding dresses; I’ve found some interesting things.”

Whitney tried to withdraw her hand, but with his assistant behind them and the boutique manager close

by, it was tough to do so without slighting him.

So she played along. “Interesting things? Like what?”



“Baby cribs.”

He led her to a display by a large bay window.

This bridal boutique was a one–stop–shop, offering not just baby cribs but also miniature pianos and a

selection of cute baby clothes.

Being a soon–to–be mother, Whitney’s gaze lingered on these items, chuckling. “Mr. Lutz, how did you

find such a well–stocked bridal boutique?”

Bryce’s eyes twinkled. “A recommendation. It is the biggest store, after all.”

“Let’s take a look at this crib,” he said, pointing to a beautifully crafted little bed. “It’s big enough for

twins. Ask the baby if he likes it.”

“How would he answer?”

Whitney was bemused, patting her round belly. Though her belly was large, her waist remained

slender.

Bryce’s gaze lingered on her waistline, deepening imperceptibly.

He stepped closer, gracefully crouching down before her belly, and earnestly inquired, “Little one, do

you prefer blue or pink? Tell me, I’m all ears.”

Whitney’s mouth twitched in helpless amusement. “Mr. Lutz, stop it.”

“Didn’t I mention on the phone that you should call me Bryce today to avoid raising my mother’s

suspicions? Why not practice now?”

He looked up at her, eyebrow raised, and in that gaze, there was a focus that made Whitney blush and

look away, embarrassed, “I will… later.”



“Your Mommy is too shy. She won’t even say my name. So, have you decided?”

He did not press her, but leaned into her belly as if listening intently.

Whitney was skeptical, but then her belly actually moved.

Bryce laughed heartily, pointing at her belly. “Okay, I got it, blue it is—a boy.”

Whitney did not believe his nonsense, but his childlike charm made her smile, “Mr. Lutz, please stand

up.”

Chapter 221

“Yeah, this does look a bit like a proposal,” he joked.

The assistant snickered, and the boutique manager lavished praise, “Miss, you’re very lucky to have a

boyfriend who’s always trying to make you smile.”

Whitney awkwardly looked away, her peripheral vision catching sight of something that caused her

entire body to stiffen.

Following her gaze, Bryce saw the imposing figure of a man in the VIP area, his expression icy and

cold.

His eyes narrowed slightly, not surprised, and a hint of amusement lingered.

Ludwik’s face was a mask of frost, his eyes like icy pools with flames of anger flickering within.

He watched as Whitney and Bryce walked in hand in hand, browsing cribs, that bastard kneeling in

front of her belly, speaking affectionately to his child, while she looked shy and flustered, playing the

part of expectant parents shopping for their child.



His hand in his pocket clenched into a fist, making a grinding sound.

At that moment, he did not want to admit it, but his heart was painfully twitching.

A sneer curled his lips as he saw the blush on her face that she could not hide fast enough upon

seeing him.

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Was she that heartless? Allowing Bryce to play the father of her child, so eager to exhibit their illicit

affection.

Scoundrels, both of them. Happy, were they?

A chill settled over the room.

The manager shivered inexplicably as Elaine admired a diamond–studded gown worth millions, her

smile beaming, “Ludwik, does this suit me?”

When no answer came, she turned to look and saw his gaze was fixed on Whitney.

Elaine paused. What a coincidence. Nonetheless, her cold expression slowly turned into a smirk as she

saw Bryce crouching before Whitney.

She leaned into Ludwik’s arm, her body soft and clingy. “Ludwik, what a coincidence to see Ms.

Valentine and Mr. Lutz here. Do you think they caught wind of our visit to this store and came to flaunt

their love? Well, we can’t show weakness. What do you think of this gown for me?”

Ludwik withdrew his gaze, crushing the end of a cigarette underfoot, his mouth twisting faintly. “How

can I tell without seeing it on you? Try it on for me.”

Elaine blushed demurely at the prospect of modeling it for him, “You’re so bad, Ludwik, making me all

embarrassed.”



“Ms. Bartels, right this way, please.”

small entourage of clerks, each holding up a selection of wedding gowns, attended to her every need

with reverence.

Whitney watched the scene unfold, and the stiffness that had taken hold of her earlier began to fade

into the shadows.

She mocked herself inwardly. Just moments before, she had been worried about whether he had seen

her walking in, hand in hand with Bryce, and what misconceptions he might have drawn from it.

Now, like waking from a silly dream, she realized how laughable it was. Clearly, she had not moved on.

What did it matter if he misunderstood? Moreover, did he even care anymore?

He sat there on the plush sofa, the very picture of nobility, as he waited for Elaine to try on her dresses,

his handsome features casting an almost dreamlike spell.

And yet, there was a bitterness to it that made her heart ache.

They had both moved on, clearly, but while she and Bryce were just pretending, he and Elaine were the

real deal…

“Whitney, my mom’s here,” Bryce gently tugged at her hand, bringing her back to the present.

