Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 292

There they were, Ludwik and Elaine stepping into a lavish private dining room, each harboring their own thoughts.

The manager gave them a tour, and Ludwik, perhaps intentionally or not, ended up choosing a seat directly opposite the 'Garden Room'. This seemed to sour Elaine's mood even further. She tried to shake off the gathering storm clouds in her heart, initiating conversation with Ludwik. After a few attempts, she realized that Ludwik's deep-set eyes were fixed on something across the room, showing little interest in her attempts at dialogue. Underneath the table, Elaine's fists clenched tight. Unable to contain her frustration any longer, she spat out, "Ludwik, are you so curious about Ms. Valentine's company celebration next door? Why don't you just go join their party? I can dine here by myself!"

Ludwik paused, his gaze slowly shifting back to Elaine. She expected some sort of comforting response from him. Instead, Ludwik coolly laid his napkin on the table, furrowing his brows as he glanced at her, his words tinged with a hint of chill, "Elaine, what are you implying? What's the point of saying all this? You're usually more understanding than this. Let's not let this lunch turn as tasteless as chewing on wax."

Elaine was taken aback, shocked by his unfamiliar coldness. Had he changed his view of her because of Keegan's case? Damn it, it was all Whitney's fault for stirring up trouble.

"Ludwik, I didn't mean it like that..." she quickly reverted to her softer demeanor. But Ludwik only gave her a fleeting look, his expression one of weary tolerance, "You eat first, I need to use the restroom."

His patience seemed to evaporate the moment Whitney was mentioned, a fact that Elaine was painfully aware of. She watched him leave, her fists pounding the table in frustration.

-

"Sammy..."

Whitney pushed open the 'Garden Room' door, having finished her business with Bryce, then suddenly remembered Ludwik was here! She immediately worried about Sammy, hoping the little guy hadn't wandered off. Concerned, she turned to Bryce, "I guess we won't be enjoying this lunch after all. I can't risk Ludwik replaceing out about the kid. It's safer if we leave now, could you handle the folks from Skye Gem Ltd. for me?"

Bryce was slightly disappointed but agreed, "Alright then." But Whitney froze in her tracks as she noticed the child's high chair was empty, "Where's Sammy?" Bryce's gaze followed hers, confirming the high chair was indeed vacant. "I swear, when I went out to replace you, Nyx was supposed to bring him here." "Maybe the little guy got bored and went looking for us, or maybe he went to the restroom?"

Whitney panicked at the thought, especially considering Ludwik was just across the way. Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest, "Damn it, I'll go look for him." "Whitney, don't panic! Keep calm," Bryce frowned.

She nodded but her steps quickened into a run. Crossing the lobby where she had confronted Ludwik, Sammy was nowhere to be seen. The lobby, filled with open seating, showed no sign of the little boy. Knowing her son, Whitney was aware he wouldn't just run off. If he had left, it was most likely for the restroom.

With that thought, she hurried toward the nearest restroom.

-

Ludwik zipped up and turned, only to come face-to-face with a small figure bolting from a stall. At first, he thought it was just someone's unruly child. But upon a closer look, wasn't this his own boy!

Ludwik's lips pressed into a thin line, his face shifting from surprise to a hint of irritation. "Danny!"

Sammy, who was in a hurry to return, was caught off guard. Dad...? This was an unexpected encounter, to say the least. Sammy spun around, feeling incredibly guilty.

Ludwik grabbed the boy by his leg, crouching down to scold, "I told the driver to take you to preschool. Why aren't you there? Skipping school to follow me here, and all dressed up too. What's the meaning of this?!"

Sammy was momentarily speechless, absorbing the scolding as any child might when caught in mischief. Ludwik was confusing him with Danny again! Somehow, that realization eased Sammy's racing heart. Otherwise, explaining his presence would have been a challenge.

Lowering his head, Sammy quickly adopted an apologetic tone, "Daddy, I didn't mean to..."

"Intentional or not, skipping school and running around - you're asking for trouble. What are you doing here?" Ludwik's gaze was piercing, scrutinizing his son. Seeing Sammy dressed so sharply, he couldn't help but wonder... had the boy come here for someone? Did he know something he shouldn't?

With Whitney in mind, Ludwik's expression darkened. He stood, his tone becoming sterner, "Are you here to meet someone? What have you found out? Tell me!"

Sammy thought quickly on his feet. This was his chance to gauge his father's feelings towards his mother. He looked up, adopting a defiant tone, "Should I know something, Daddy? Or is there something you're hiding? Like, is my real mom here?"

Ludwik's eyes widened, his heart racing at the possibility that his son had discovered Whitney's presence. The complexity of emotions was overwhelming; the idea that his son, whom he had raised alone, could so easily acknowledge a mother who had never been there. Jealousy and resentment surged through him.

Ludwik's demeanor cooled, he grabbed Sammy, "She's not here. She's gone. Don't bring this up again. Let's go."

"But..." Sammy started to protest.

At the restroom entrance, Whitney, upon hearing her child's voice, burst through the door, disregarding the men's room sign. The sight that greeted her-Ludwik holding onto Sammy-drained all color from her face. The scenario she had dreaded was unfolding right before her eyes.

Ludwik stumbled upon her most guarded secret - their child!

"Sammy..."

Whitney, frenzied and on the verge of hysteria, could barely whisper the name. Her voice, wildly out of place in the men's restroom, made Ludwik snap his head up in shock.

Whitney burst in, standing before father and son, a sight Ludwik hadn't anticipated. He scrutinized her pale, delicate face, lost and forlorn, her gaze locked onto Danny in his arms, utterly devastated.

Ludwik's expression grew icy, unreadable in that moment. Love and hatred tangled within him, three years had done nothing to dilute those feelings. Pain, resentment, the countless times he had wished to see her regretful - all surged to the forefront. "Mummy..."

To his surprise, 'Danny' called out to her, indicating they must have met in secret just before. Whitney had managed to charm his son so quickly.

Fury surged within Ludwik as he tightened his grip on 'Danny's' hand, his voice a cold command, "You're my son, you're not to call her that!"