Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 297

"Mama! Can't you think it over? This decision is too hasty. I, I can't bear to leave you."

Danny's plea was a truthful echo of his inner turmoil. It had taken him considerable effort to acknowledge his mom, Whitney, on his own, making the mere two encounters they had shared all the more precious.

Whitney froze for a moment as Danny, or 'Sammy' as he was momentarily dubbed, clung tightly to her legs. The look on the little guy's face was one of deep misery, transforming back into the 'clingy' and stoic Sammy she thought she knew. With a deep sigh, driven by a fierce desire to protect him, Whitney headed towards the bedroom. "Sammy, let me pack your bags. You'll be back before you know it, and besides, life abroad suits you better."

Suits me better my foot, Danny thought. He had never been abroad in his life, a true homebody at heart.

Panic started to set in for Danny.

As Whitney began to pull out the luggage, Danny felt trapped, struggling to come up with a solution. "Ah, my head! It hurts so much!" he exclaimed, dramatically collapsing to the ground.

"Sammy?" Bryce, both surprised and concerned, watched as the little guy hit the floor but kept one eye sneakily open to gauge Whitney's reaction.

A smirk tugged at Bryce's lips as he caught on to the act.

"Sammy! What's wrong?" Whitney, completely oblivious, rushed over.

"My head, it's like it's splitting..." Danny groaned, putting on an award-worthy performance, his little hands clutching his stomach.

This confused Whitney even more, her panic rising. "What is it, your head or your stomach, honey?"

Damn, Danny thought, realizing his mistake too late.

Swallowing his pride, Danny moved his hands to his forehead, deciding to stick with the headache story.

"Could it be something serious?" Whitney murmured, her fingers swiftly checking his pulse.

After a few seconds, her expression darkened.

Bryce, who had been quietly observing, coughed lightly, signaling his understanding of the situation.

When Whitney continued to hold his wrist in silence, and Bryce couldn't help but cough more pointedly, Danny couldn't resist sneaking a peek.

"Stop pretending," Whitney said, her patience wearing thin.

What? She knew?

Danny quickly shut his eyes tighter, feigning unconsciousness.

"Sammy-" Whitney rolled her eyes, gently sitting him up. "Are you really going to fake being sick just to avoid going abroad? You used to be more creative with your schemes."

Caught and subtly chastised, Danny's pride took a hit. Was he really falling short compared to Sammy?

With a stubborn pout, he decided to stick to his guns.

"So, you're going to be stubborn about this?" Whitney was at her wit's end, remembering Sammy had never been this difficult.

Bryce eyed 'Sammy', a thoughtful look crossing his face before breaking into a soft chuckle. "Doesn't quite seem like Sammy's style. He'd usually have a clever argument by now. But boys will be boys, right, Whitney?" He winked at her, hinting not to bruise the kid's ego further.

Whitney softened, asking, "Is it really that hard for you to leave me?"

"Mhm," came the muffled response from the little figure on the floor.

Bryce weighed their options aloud, "If he's so set against going, sending him away won't give you peace of mind. Plus, have you considered the risks? If Ludwik replaces out he's in Maelstrom Country and manages to whisk him away, you'd be even further from reaching him." Whitney's fingers tightened into fists, her mind racing with the implications of Bryce's words.

Ludwik was ruthless; nothing was beyond him.

She looked down at Danny, torn over what to do.

Danny, seizing the moment, tugged at Whitney's sleeve, adding a layer of fear. "What if Dad hides me somewhere abroad? You'd never see me again."

"He wouldn't dare!"

Whitney's face was a mask of determination, laced with anxiety.

Bryce sighed, offering a solution. "Why don't I arrange for extra protection for Sammy? Keep him close for now and watch for Ludwik's moves. If he tries to fight for custody, remember, you've been the one raising him these past years, not..."

Whitney's pleading glance stopped him from mentioning the painful past in front of Danny.

Ludwik might have his flaws, but she hoped Sammy would always see his father as 'perfect'.

Nodding, Bryce stood, taking care of the luggage and volunteering to make lunch. "You both must be exhausted. Don't worry, I've got everything under control."

Grateful but weary, Whitney managed a smile. "Thank you, Bryce, really."

As Bryce patted her head affectionately, telling Sammy to keep her company, Danny pondered over the man's intentions.

After ensuring Whitney was settled, Danny sneaked into the kitchen.

Bryce turned, a gentle smile on his face. "Hungry?"

Danny, arms crossed, scrutinized Bryce before bluntly stating, "You think I don't know what you're up to? You're not fooling anyone. You're just trying to keep my mom here because you think if I go to Maelstrom Country, she'll be gone too much. You're after her, aren't you?" Bryce raised an eyebrow, impressed yet caught off guard by the accusation. Sammy was insightful, but he wouldn't confront him like this.

Admitting openly, Bryce said, "Yes, I've been fond of your mom for a very long time. Sammy, you must've seen how I feel about her."

"I don't know about that " Danny huffed, his stance clear. "My dad and mom are just on a break. They're doing it for me, and they'll be back together, making a family. You're just the guy trying to wedge in. Not cool, Bryce. My dad can cook too, you know. If my mom hasn't said yes to you by now, maybe you should take the hint."

The direct challenge darkened Bryce's expression, a mix of frustration and respect for the boy's audacity.

Danny, arms still crossed, felt a smug satisfaction. He had made his point.

Bryce watched "Sammy" with a long, contemplative gaze, seemingly lost in thought. Suddenly, he strode over, his tall frame looming as he peered down at the little guy.

There was a smile in his eyes, but it didn't quite reach the depths.

With a quirk of his lips, Bryce asked in an oddly toned voice, "Sammy, are you really Sammy?"

"...", Danny blinked, taken aback for a moment, and then stiffened like a startled cub.

The man's steady gaze held a sharp edge, enveloping the smaller figure in an intimidating aura.

Danny, still so young, felt a momentary pang of guilt, as if his system had crashed. Clenching his fists, he retorted with false bravado, "Of course, I'm Sammy! Who else would I be?" With those words, he tried to maintain his cool demeanor as he turned and scampered off.

Bryce's eyes flickered briefly before he straightened up slowly.

Sammy wasn't known for being this proud or aloof.

It was supposed to be their first day truly spending time together, so how could Sammy know 'Dad can cook too"?

This little guy, calling him 'Dad' so easily, seemed way too practiced.

Whitney, being the mother, might be the last to notice, but Bryce, an outsider in this dynamic, had felt something was off from the start!

Were these really the actions of a child?