Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Ludwik's eyes darkened with a storm of emotions, plunging into a chasm of disbelief. He had never imagined she would reject him with such a cold heart.

Her words, laced with resentment and a heart turned to stone, spelled out her detachment and the death of her love for him. He couldn't accept it.

"Darling, I'll bring you back! You can't leave me. This time, you'll marry me, whether you want to or not. I need you by my side, standing with me against everything."

His voice was a deep rumble as he gripped her hand tightly, stopping her from opening the door.

Bryce pushed past Felix and rushed over, swinging the door open and catching Whitney as she stumbled, "Whitney! Are you okay? Ludwik, she's my girlfriend now, back off! She'll never marry you because she's going to marry me. You've got no right!"

The man stood on the balcony, his gaze narrowing dangerously, silencing the air around them. He strode over, seizing Whitney, his gaze locking on her as if he'd heard a bad joke, "Girlfriend? Marrying you? You must be dreaming. You've lost your mind. Whitney...if you nod, I swear I'll end you. I demand an explanation!"

Ludwik's heart shattered. He couldn't believe a word Bryce said.

"He's lying. You're using him to push me away again!" Ludwik's voice was ice-cold.

"It's true." Whitney lifted her head, her calm demeanor like a dagger to his heart.

That damned woman, she had nodded. Breaking free from his grasp, she even went as far as to cling to Bryce's arm, her gaze icy and calm, piercing Ludwik's heart like a sword, "It's true, Ludwik. I've moved on. I've decided to be with Bryce, and things are going well. We plan to marry soon. He's waited for me for years. You know this. Let's just wish each other well...”

"Shut up!" Ludwik couldn't bear it. Her indifference was pushing him into an abyss! His eyes bloodshot, clouded with unshed tears, struggling to contain his despair.

Felix, witnessing Mr. Lippert's turmoil, feared a breakdown that could echo a past filled with emotional turmoil.

"Mr. Lippert, maybe Ms. Valentine is just saying this to..."

"You're doing this on purpose, Whitney, because you think I've hurt you too deeply! Come to me. I can't live without you, I can't lose you."

His voice was a soft murmur of agony, each word striking her heart. Yet, it was too late; her heart was beyond repair.

"You've lost me a long time ago." Whitney's voice was cold, merciless.

"As long as I haven't said it's over, you dare to leave me? You come here! You belong to me, your body, your heart, even as a ghost you're mine. We're getting married right now."

Ludwik, almost possessed, pulled her into his embrace.

"Ludwik, if you lay a hand on her again, I won't hold back! She's my woman. Whitney made it clear, Ludwik. Have you no pride, no dignity? She's letting you go, she's wishing you well. If you're a man, let her go, release her!"

Bryce held Whitney close, not backing down. Ludwik turned, noticing her pale face and Bryce's grip around her waist, he kicked at Bryce's shoulder. "Oof." Bryce stumbled back.

Ludwik pulled Whitney into his arms,

his hand gently caressing her

abdomen, veins bulging with

tension. He forced her to look at him, his eye's blazing red, his voice a sinister hiss, "You're his woman? Whitney, you seem confused. You think you can marry this nobody? Dream on! You're carrying my child, one month along, do you? understand? Even in death, you can't marry him. Not while I'm here, not with my third child on the way! Have you given up yet?"

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His smile was devilish, his handsome features twisted. Whitney's skin crawled, her gaze blank, not understanding his words, She pushed him away, her voice trembling, "I don't know what you're talking about! There's no child of yours in me! What third child? You're delusional. Your child is with

Florence, have you forgotten?!"

Her sarcasm was biting.

Ludwik gripped her hands to stop her struggle, his dark eyes intense yet gentle, "You just don't know, listen to me..."

"Ludwik, if you cared for her, you wouldn't be rough! Come at me if you must!"

Bryce, fearing Ludwik would reveal Whitney's pregnancy, intervened, pulling at Ludwik's shirt, “Let's talk this out, man to man. Don't make it hard for her!"

Ludwik glared, "Felix, get him off!"

Bryce whispered urgently, grasping his arm, "You think she kept the child? She saw it as a disgrace and got rid of it while you were abroad. She despises you, why would she keep your seed as leverage? Of course, I played my part in her decision. Don't bring up the child; she won't admit it, just watch!"

Ludwik's world went silent. Bryce's words echoed, leaving him in shock. He couldn't comprehend, couldn't accept. His tears betrayed him, reflecting his turmoil.

A threat? Their child, a threat to her

new life? She got rid of it? No, he couldn't believe it. Bryce's words weren't credible. He turned, his grasp on Whitney's shoulders nearly crushing, "You wouldn't, would you? Whitney, that's our flesh and blood!! After three years, I've put you in this situation again. You're allowed to be upset, you can even hate me, but what you can't do is harm a life."

"...What on earth are you talking about?" Whitney was perplexed, clueless about what Bryce had whispered to him that caused such a drastic change in demeanor.novelbin

"Felix, get the car door," Ludwik commanded, turning his head with a fierce look in his eyes. He fumbled for a cigarette and shoved it between his lips, but his fingers, trembling slightly, crushed the butt instead. He repeated the action, his fingertips visibly shaking.

Felix, looking horrified, dashed out.

Ludwik took a few drags from another cigarette, then grabbed Whitney. He was still cautious, his gaze stubbornly fixed on her belly, his eyes filled with sorrow and anger, "If it's true, I'll make sure you won't get away with it."

"Explain yourself clearly!"

Whitney was completely flustered, roughly dragged outside and shoved into the car. Bryce came running out, but the Bentley had already sped away...