Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 486

The first night back at the Sheldon household, his concern for Florence couldn't have been more obvious. Whitney thought he was just being overly attentive because he cared so much about Florence. He stopped her from taking shares in the Sheldon Group and insisted

on dining with Florence at every meal.

Even during a crucial game, when Florence ended up in the hospital with a burnt ankle, he let her forfeit the match.

But what if his concern wasn't for Florence?

How crucial was Florence's health to him anyway?

Could it have something to do with Natalie's illness back in Banyan City?!

Doubts began to swirl in Whitney's mind.

"Once he wakes up, you can ask him for the details. I know you're hurt and you don't want to forgive him or trust him again. But I think Ludwik's holding something back. For some reason, he's taking it all on himself and refusing to let us help. Whitney, please, for his sake. He got hurt because of you. You need to break the ice between you two."

Parker sighed heavily.

Whitney felt a pang of pain and remained silent.

Around four in the morning, they allowed two visitors into his room. Danny rushed over. Parker suggested Whitney take their son to see him.

Seeing his dad lying in bed, Danny's tears started to fall. "I heard he got hurt trying to save you. If he risked his life for you, it's not just because you're the mom of his child."

His words, so profound, made Whitney stop mid-action and burst out laughing.

"What do you think the reason is?"

"He must really have you in his heart to do something so reckless." Danny looked downcast.

Whitney wrung out the towel and began to clean off the blood on Ludwik's body. His chest was bandaged, revealing deep wounds, but one old scar caught her eye.

Seeing that scar, tears welled up in Whitney's eyes.

Three years ago, he had gotten that scar for her. It would stay with him for a lifetime.

And tonight? She had no idea what he was thinking...

"Why would Dad be with Florence if he has you in his heart? I just don't get it!" Danny was frustrated.

That was also something Whitney wanted to figure out.

They would have to see if he'd wake up. Once he did, she had to ask him about Natalie.

The next day, Whitney had been up all night. Sandy came over as promised with fresh clothes and toiletries for Whitney. Whitney introduced Danny to Sandy, asking her to take care of him for a while. In the afternoon, a nurse rushed over. "Who's Mr. Lippert's family member here? He's showing signs of waking up!"

Whitney's hand trembled, and she rushed with the IV stand in tow.

The nurse opened the door for Whitney. "Stay with him. He's sweating a lot and the painkillers have worn off. Help him wipe it off. I'll call the doctor."

"Okay!"

Whitney, limping because of her ankle injury, made her way to the bedside and hung up the IV bag. She carefully wiped the sweat from his neck, trying not to move too much. "Ah..."

He let out a weak sound.

"Ludwik?" she said excitedly, pausing with the towel, "Ludwik! You're awake! Are you in pain?"

"I won't wipe it off then. Do you want some water? Open your eyes."

She was in a flurry, turning to grab the cup from the dresser.

Suddenly, her hand was caught by his. Though weak, his grip was strong compared to hers. He held onto her hand tightly.

Whitney looked down, her eyes welling up.

"Ludwik..."

"Florence!" he muttered with closed eyes and furrowed brows.

"..." Whitney felt a lump in her throat, a bitter coldness filling her.

"Florence, is that you?"

He was still calling for Florence.

How much must he care for her to utter her name first thing after waking up from major surgery?

Whitney felt ridiculous.

The needle in her hand was pushed aside by his grip, causing blood to flow back, but she felt no pain.

Only a complete denial of Parker's pleas from the night before.

Her heart sank into silence once more.

She gritted her teeth, "Ludwik, look at me. See who I am."

Ludwik struggled to open his eyes, surprised to see Whitney caring for him by his bedside.

But before he could process his thoughts, urgency pulled at his nerves.

He looked around frantically, "Where is she? Isn't Florence here?"

"Sorry to disappoint, but I've been the one looking after you all night. She hasn't shown up," Whitney said bitterly.

Then, Florence was still in Banyan City.

Ludwik remembered the last phone call before he passed out was from Felix.

Felix said Florence hadn't gone to give blood to her mother. She made an excuse and left as soon as she arrived in Banyan City, right under Felix and the bodyguard's watch.

His mother was in worse shape now because she had prepared for a transfusion she never received.

Sweating profusely and unable to think clearly, Ludwik asked, "What time is it?" He tried to get up.

Whitney, though upset, was shocked enough to hold him down, "It's noon on the second day. What are you trying to do, Ludwik!"

"I need to replace Florence," Ludwik said, gathering his strength to throw off the covers.

"Are you crazy? You're still hooked up to a drain..." Whitney's words were cut off.

Ludwik's sudden move to yank off his IV line, his actions both frantic and impatient, sent Whitney into a spiral of red-hot anger and confusion. She couldn't wrap her head around it. "Ludwik, is your Florence really that important to you?!" "Yes, she's important... I have to replace her."

"But she went to Banyan City, right? She's not in any danger!"

But his mother might be.

Ludwik's eyes were tinged with a bloody hue.

"Why do you have to be so good to her?" Whitney confronted him, disbelief in her tone. He had just undergone surgery and here he was, getting up as if his own life meant nothing.

Compared to that, what did it mean when he risked his life for her last night?

In the end, it was only her, foolishly touched, thinking that his saving her was a declaration of his love...

She watched him get up, his tall frame staggering towards the door, her heart not ready to let go, yet too scared to touch him. She rushed forward, demanding the truth, "Tell me, is it about your mom? Is Florence somehow linked to your mom's illness?" Ludwik froze as if a pause button had been hit.

His back was stiff, his eyes fleeting with pain.

Yet his words were cold, laced with sarcasm, "Whitney, you're thinking too much. How could it be related to my mother? Stop your fantasies, and don't make excuses for me. I just care about Florence that much."

With that, he practically stumbled out, leaving Whitney clenching her fists so tight, her whole body and mind enveloped in a chilling realization.

The truth hit her like a slap across the face, piercing her heart. She was immobile.

Watching him so determined to replace Florence!

The doctor and Parker arrived belatedly only to replace the room empty of Ludwik, the IV line and the monitor scattered around the bed, both stood there, dumbfounded.

Parker, noticing Whitney's tear-stained face, panicked, "Whitney, where's Ludwik?!"