Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 347

"Doctor said... the fish bone was lodged pretty deep. It took a surgery to get it out, but my throat got hurt, Mommy."

The little guy pursed his lips, enduring the pain as he spoke.

"Oh my gosh." Whitney's heart ached terribly as she looked up to see the handsome, mature man beside her, his hair still damp, his well-built muscles visible beneath his shirt, exuding a scent of soap. Whitney paused for a moment, taken aback by his fresh, dashing appearance, while her son looked all messy and unkempt.

She instantly felt discontented, "Mr. Lippert, with Danny looking like this, how could you still bother grooming yourself? Got a hot date with Elaine, all dolled up? Looks like some deadbeat dad with no fatherly love."

Ludwik's face turned dark with a mix of anger and embarrassment.

This woman, not only does she not appreciate his looks, but she also has the nerve to mock him? What kind of creature is she?

"Right, Mommy, some people really have no limits when it comes to fighting for attention," Danny chimed in with a pout, throwing in his two cents.

Father and son locked eyes, both inwardly fuming: That's for outshining me in looks.

Whitney, not fully grasping their silent exchange, still patted her son's head affirmatively, "That's right, no one is as handsome as my Danny."

"Well, he wouldn't be this handsome if it weren't for his dad, right?"

"Would you have been able to produce such genes without me?"

Whitney seriously doubted the man's hidden agenda.

Her almond-shaped eyes glared at the man as she stepped forward to pick up her son, asking worriedly, "Is it really that serious, Danny? You had surgery?"

"Yeah." On this point, Ludwik quickly conceded to his son's fib.

Despite their banter and competition, it was clear they were on the same side.

Whitney, feeling a tug at her heart, reproached, "Men can be so careless. Couldn't you have let Taryn pick out the bones for him next time?"

"Mommy, you're blaming daddy unfairly. He's very careful when it comes to taking care of me. It's just that today, at home, Elaine didn't remove the bones for me," the little guy came to his dad's defense at a crucial moment, scoring points for him. I see.

Whitney's gaze dropped, her voice cooling with implication, "Once bitten, twice shy. Whether intentional or not, Danny, you better stay away from Elaine next time."

Had it been another time, Ludwik would have frowned and retorted immediately.

This time, however, he pursed his lips, staying silent.

The man cleared his throat and looked down at the woman with a dominating gaze, "Danny's throat is swollen, and he hasn't eaten enough. He needs some bland porridge and light dishes. Can you make that?" "Obviously." Whitney's response was sharp as she lifted her chin.

"Danny, Mommy will take you grocery shopping now. You're still growing, you need to eat well."

Saying so, she led her son out.

The man's strides were quick as he followed the mother and son, his lips curling up almost imperceptibly.

At the hospital entrance, Whitney, seeing the shameless man getting into her car, was somewhat annoyed, "What are you doing here? You can leave now."

"You think I'd leave my son alone with you?" Ludwik turned his head with a lifted brow, his handsome face incomparable even under the sun.

But that couldn't mask his scoundrel nature.

"Given our divorced status, ex-hubby, I have a legitimate right to see my son without you being around!"

"What if you turn him against me, his father? I must supervise you."

Speechless. Whitney was so frustrated she wished she could kick him into oblivion.

With her son still hungry, she had no time to squabble. The woman indignantly took the driver's seat, her hands gripping the steering wheel tight. Ludwik turned to look out the window, his usually stern features softening more than he realized.

Arriving at the supermarket, Danny sat in the shopping cart Whitney was pushing, his little head turning this way and that in excitement. Whitney glanced at her son, then leaned down to whisper, "Did you contact Sammy?"

Danny blinked slyly.

Remembering the 'accident scene' at the apartment that night, Whitney's heart couldn't take it, shooting her son a reproachful look. She also kept an eye out, turning her head now and then, half-expecting Sammy to suddenly appear.

"What are you thinking about? Not focusing on picking vegetables?" The man's deep voice complained beside her unexpectedly. Whitney couldn't help but glance at him, thinking of how much trouble his two sons could stir up.

She focused her mind, heading to the produce and meat section, choosing carefully.

Today, as usual, she wore a business outfit, exuding the aura of a female CEO.

The silk blouse by her ears and high-waisted pencil skirt accentuated her waist, and as she walked, her curves swayed unconsciously.

Her slender, straight legs peeked out from the skirt, clad in high heels, her skin as white as jade.

Despite the intellectual attire, she had an air of pleasant purity about her, and Ludwik noticed she wore black stockings today.

Damn it, didn't she know pencil skirts and black stockings were a test of a man's restraint?

Seeing other men glancing over now and then, Ludwik wished he could cover her with his coat.

His gaze turned icy, warning off those onlookers.

Whitney, reaching for vegetables, found her surroundings eerily quiet. She glanced around to replace not a single man in sight.

She looked at Ludwik, blaming his intimidating presence for the sudden peace.

"Mommy, I want canned peaches," Danny said, pointing towards a shelf.

Whitney nodded, walking over to grab it, only to replace the canned peaches were placed on the top shelf, out of her reach.

"No, canned peaches are too sweet," the man frowned, strict as ever.

Whitney, a bit too indulgent, argued, "One time won't rot his teeth."

"A soft mother makes a spoiled child," Ludwik retorted with principle.

"... Danny was speechless, focusing on the real issue those canned peaches on the top shelf!

Exasperated, he tugged at his dad's sleeve, "Top shelf, Mommy can't reach. Work hard to create an opportunity for you, and you're just ruining it with your incompetence." The look he gave was full of disdain.

Having lived for over thirty years only to be schooled by his son, Ludwik found himself at a loss for words.

Why didn't he say so earlier?

The man's eyes narrowed as he watched the petite woman trying to reach for the canned peaches, her fair fingers stretching in vain.

Cough.

With a gentle press of his large hand against his lips, Ludwik leaned closer, his tall and proud figure casting a shadow over Whitney.

All Whitney felt was the warmth radiating from behind her, a shadow looming over her head.

Then, the can she was reaching for ended up in Ludwik's hand. His large, rough palm with its long, elegant fingers looked striking against the glass jar.

She was momentarily stunned by the beauty of his hands.

"Is this the one you're looking for?" Ludwik's voice, deep and magnetic, brushed past her ear, tickling the fine hairs and making her earlobe itch.

The woman in his arms seemed to flush a little at the ears, immediately pulling away from him.

"Not that one."

His gaze, dark and penetrating, shifted to her tightly pursed lips, causing Ludwik's breath to deepen, "Which one is it then?"