Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 426

"Really, Whitney? After everything, you think I owe you something?" Whitney's laugh was bitter, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Ludwik, after all we've been through, after the two boys I've given you, how can you even stand there and say something like that to

me?"

Her voice was quiet, yet it seemed to shake the very air around them.

Ludwik's expression went blank. Their relationship was already shattered, yet he felt the need to twist the knife deeper. "Come on, Whitney. We're done. Over. When you were getting close to Bryce, did it not cross your mind that I might replace someone else too? And now you're upset... Ha, it's no wonder you reached out today. What, are you jealous of me being with someone else?"

He grabbed her chin firmly, his dark eyes both seductive and cold.

If Whitney had the strength, Ludwik's face would be marred by her slap.

Her whole body trembled with rage. He was using her attempt to reach out as a way to humiliate her further.

Her heart felt like it was being crushed, his disdain apparent, mocking her pain.

As if a blade was twisting in her heart, she grabbed at his shirt collar, spitting out, "Rest assured, being a jerk just once is more than enough! Falling for a loser like you is my biggest regret. I'm not jealous of anyone, especially not you!" "That's good to hear. I've got no patience for clingy women," Ludwik responded coldly, unfazed by her tirade.

"So, can you open the car door now? Your face is making me sick. You know, you're a perfect match for Florence. She's just another Elaine, and nothing between us has changed, Ludwik. You never learn, always falling for the same old tricks!" Ludwik frowned, "You're being unfair to Florence. She's your sister, after all. How well do you think you know her after just one meeting?"

"And how well do you know her, Ludwik? After just a short time?" Whitney retorted. Through her interactions with Florence, she knew the kind of person she was. Beyond the façade of innocence, there lurked someone far more cunning and manipulative. Hudson had mentioned the Lippert-Sheldon merger, a union Whitney was initially considered for. But Florence's sudden relationship with Ludwik disrupted those plans. It couldn't be mere coincidence.

Whitney scoffed, "Don't you replace it odd how Florence just happened to appear in your life at the perfect moment? How did you two meet? Do you really believe she didn't know who you were before that?"

Ludwik couldn't divulge how they'd met. He had his suspicions about their meeting being too convenient. Florence had claimed ignorance about Whitney and their family arrangement, but Whitney wasn't buying it.

"So, you're suggesting Florence approached me because of my status?" Ludwik asked, despite knowing the truth.

Whitney was about to agree when Ludwik interrupted, "She knew me first, unaware of the arranged marriage. She even tried to call it off this morning. If she was after my status, why bother? Besides, she's not the type to chase after power." Whitney's skepticism deepened, her intuition telling her otherwise. "So, you fell for her innocence that quickly? What happened to us then?"

Ludwik's frustration was evident. He couldn't reveal his mother's illness or the real reason behind his actions. "It's not what you think. And yes, Florence doesn't care about status. What I need from her... is not something I can discuss."

Whitney's heart ached, her love turning to loathing. "You're the worst, Ludwik. You've fed our love to the dogs. Explain to Danny why his father has a new love and won't answer his calls."

As Whitney stormed out of the car, Ludwik's eyes were wet with unshed tears. "Leave then," he whispered, regret lacing his voice.

But Whitney was already gone, her heart buried alongside what was left of their love. As she left, Ludwik remained silent, the weight of his decisions heavy on his shoulders.

Whitney stepped out of the taxi, flashing a grateful smile to the Sheldon family's driver before he pulled away from the curb. Instead of heading straight to replace Danny as she entered the hotel lobby, her steps faltered, and she found herself veering into a quiet hallway. Sliding down against the wall, she curled into herself as if trying to escape an invisible pain, her eyes locked onto her reflection in the sleek glass wall opposite.

Tears, previously held at bay, now cascaded down her cheeks, her body shaking with each sob. Passersby cast worried glances her way, startled by her breakdown. A concerned concierge hurried over, asking, "Miss, are you alright? Do you need me to call a doctor for you?"

A doctor? As if any medicine could mend a heart trampled by cruelty and misunderstanding.

"No, thank you," Whitney managed to choke out between sobs, shaking her head with a bitter laugh. "I just need a moment to myself."

How could she face Danny in such a state, looking as if she were drowning, gasping for air and replaceing none?

Desperate for some semblance of comfort, she dialed Tiana's number, her voice breaking as soon as the call connected. "Tiana, it hurts so much. I'm so... so upset."

Over and over, she repeated those words, a mantra of her pain. Tiana, sensing the depth of Whitney's distress, barely dared to probe, her own voice thick with unshed tears as she listened to her friend's heartache.

Their conversation was abruptly cut short by an incoming call. Wiping her tears, Whitney squinted at the caller ID-Natalie. Reluctantly, she answered, only to be greeted by Natalie's cheerful ignorance, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Whitney, you made it to Emperor City! Did you meet up with Ludwik? Did you follow my advice and talk things through? Sometimes we have to swallow our pride, dear. Have you two made up yet?"

Catching her reflection in the glass, Whitney's face seemed to drain of color, twisted in a grimace of scorn and barely contained rage. "Natalie!" she snapped, her voice cold and hard. "Calling your son a beast would be a kindness. Please, stop using my respect and affection for you as a weapon to deceive me!"

Stunned silence met her outburst, followed by Natalie's confused and hurried questions, but Whitney had already disconnected, burying her face in her hands, her body wracked with sobs.