Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 348

"I'll get it myself," Whitney said, feeling an unexpected closeness as the warmth of the man next to her seemed

to radiate through the air.

She tried to step back but suddenly found her arm caught in his firm grasp. "Careful," he warned.

A floor cleaner was passing right behind her.

His deep voice sent an intriguing shiver down her neck, much to her annoyance.

Frustrated, Whitney reached for another bottle on the higher shelf.

"You're too short to reach that. Aren't they all the sanyway?" he questioned, baffled by her insistence.

"Short? I'm not short!" At 5'5", Whitney wasn't tall, but she loathed being called short.

Her glare was both fierce and somewhat comical, causing Ludwik to pause before teasing, "You're not short,

sure. You'd barely make it under my arm, though." Whitney's forehead creased in irritation.

He even gestured to emphasize his point, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Turning his head slightly, he

whispered, just loud enough for her to hear, "But this height difference... it's quite convenient for, well, kissing

and... um." Realizing he was about to say too much, Whitney stepped on his foot, shutting him up before he

could continue.

What was he thinking, saying something like that?

Her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment, especially with her son nearby.

Ludwik sensed he'd gone too far, especially after noticing her reaction. "Sorry. Need anything from the top

shelf?" he said, trying to change the subject.

Whitney, too annoyed to respond, walked away in her heels.

Ludwik turned to find his son giving him a look of admiration, his little hand giving a thumbs-up, "Smart move,

Dad."

Ludwik's face darkened, "This is not the tfor games."

But his son's gaze drifted towards the carousel outside the store, "Daddy, | wanna ride the merry-go-round!"

"This is a supermarket, not a playground," Ludwik replied, his patience wearing thin.

"If you don't loveanymore, I'll just go to Mommy then."

Resigned, Ludwik found a secluded spot and crouched down, letting his son climb onto his back for a piggyback

ride, much to the boy's delight.

Whitney returned to find Ludwik, a man of pride, playing horse for his son. Surprised, her gaze softened when

she noticed the boys had switched places. Sammy, pretending to be Danny, clung to Ludwik with a mix of

awkwardness and contentment.

Whitney's heart twinged, recalling her dreams of a happy family, now seeing a glimmer of that in her sons’

interaction with their father.

At the checkout, Ludwik's attention to a particular box of condoms on display embarrassed Whitney further,

realizing the depth of his cluelessness.

Ignoring Ludwik's confusion, she quickly led her son out, determined to keep her composure despite the day's

awkward moments.

Back at their apartment, Whitney gave Ludwik the cold shoulder, focusing instead on preparing a meal for her

and her son, leaving Ludwik to add his own portion to the rice cooker in secret.

As they sat down to eat, Whitney couldn't help but acknowledge Ludwik's presence, his attempt to fit into their

lives in his own awkward way, sharing a meal as if they were a normal family, despite the day's earlier tensions.

When Ludwik headed back to the kitchen, hoping to scoop up a third helping, he found the pot disappointingly

empty. He silently chided himself for only throwing in a small portion.

"I should've added more," he mumbled with regret.

Emerging from the kitchen, Ludwik noticed that Sammy had switched seats, and even his eating manner seemed

more relaxed.

Sammy looked up, a smile playing on his lips. "Dad, isn't mom's cooking amazing?"

"It's alright," Ludwik downplayed, his voice flat.

Whitney nearly choked on her drink, recalling how Ludwik had practically licked his plate clean not moments

before.

Sammy, undeterred by his dad's understatement, laid back in his chair with an easy laugh. "Seems like good

men who appreciate mom's cooking are rare. Bryce is an exception; he always says mom's dishes are heavenly.

If you ever consider remarrying, mom, Bryce would be a great choice, don't you think?" Ludwik felt like he'd

been punched in the gut at the mention of another man being a suitable partner for Whitney.

A chill seemed to sweep through the room, affecting even Whitney, who felt the temperature drop.

Ludwik's handsface darkened, and he snapped at his son, "Your mom's not getting remarried, especially not

to Bryce. Not while I'm around. Watch your mouth, young man. Want a time-out?"

Sammy just pouted in response.

Whitney stood up in defense of her son, her tone laced with disdain. "Why are you scaring the kid? And since

when do you get a say in whether | remarry or not?

Mr. Lippert, perhaps you should focus on the TV; it's broadcasting your upcoming grand wedding next month.

You've had your dinner; maybe it's tyou left. What else is there to think about?"

Ludwik felt a tightness in his chest, speechless as he stared at the TV screen flashing his wedding news. His

eyes, cold and troubled, couldn't help but drift towards Whitney. He didn't even know what he was feeling. The

whole spectacle of his upcoming wedding, orchestrated by Skyfaith's PR and Elaine, left him indifferent and even

slightly disgusted.

But Whitney's apparent indifference to his remarriage left him feeling cold and listless these past few days,

unable to find his usual drive.

He was about to retort when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Extracting it, Ludwik's expression hardened as he

read the caller ID.

Stepping towards the balcony, he glanced back at Whitney. "Yes, this is Ludwik Lippert. Banyan City Police

Department? You've caught the kidnapper who took my son?"

Whitney's ears perked up at the mention of the case making progress. The culprit, with a trail of evidence

leading back to him, had been caught alive?

Intrigued, she followed Ludwik, eager to hear more...