Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Whitney felt like she had been physically struck, her cheeks alternating between flushed red and pale with anger as she glared at him, her voice dripping with scorn. "Who are you calling 'wife'? How many more times do I have to tell you? I am Bryce's wife. The woman you're destined to marry is in New York, and her name is Florence. What we're doing is not right; you'll end up in jail sooner or later."

If she couldn't fight him off, she'd at least annoy him at every chance, shattering his deluded self-importance.

Sure enough, the mention of Bryce hardened the man's tender gaze momentarily, a storm of frustration passing through his eyes. However, Ludwik quickly regained his composure, his tone indulgently soft. "Don't try to provoke me, Whitney. After last night, you've completely come back to me. If torturing me makes you happy, I'll endure it with pleasure."

Whitney felt he was as receptive as a brick wall.

Feeling utterly powerless, she snapped at him, "I don't want to torture you. Please! I just want to stay away from you. I despise you!"

A shadow passed across his eyes, but then he looked at her with a devilish grin. "Oh, you say you despise me, but your performance last night suggested otherwise. We're a perfect match; you're well acquainted with pleasing me."

Nonsense.noveldrama

Whitney's face turned beet red at his insinuation, her dignity trampled underfoot. She wished she could tear his smug expression to pieces. "You're talking nonsense! You plied me with drinks!"

Ludwik took a deep breath, his voice husky. "Yes, giving you alcohol was a mistake on my part, but your body doesn't lie. If you weren't deeply moved by me, you wouldn't respond the way you do. Baby, why not follow your body's lead?"

He leaned in, kissing her nose tenderly.

Whitney didn't dodge, but retorted coldly, "Physical reactions are just primal instincts. I was happy with Bryce too. You can't compare to his gentleness and chivalry. You're just brutish and grasping..."

"Say that again, I dare you!"

Ludwik's restrained whisper broke the fragile calm, his eyes no longer serene as he grabbed her face, pinching her cheeks until they reddened. "Don't provoke me, Whitney. Swear to me, there's been nothing between you and him." His voice was filled with pain.

Whitney, defiant, met his dark gaze, her breath quivering. "Think about it. Bryce and I have been together for nearly a month. It's normal for an engaged couple to move in together early, isn't it?"

"Shut up." Ludwik's aura darkened terrifyingly as he glowered at her. "Whitney, I love you. Why must you push me? You can tease me, but not like this. I can't take it. I don't want to hurt you. I'm trying so hard to forget whatever fling you had with Bryce!"

Whitney was stunned into silence by his outburst, the veins in his eyes terrifying her.

She felt a surge of fear akin to the helplessness of the previous night, regretting her provocation. If she angered him into a fit, escaping this cursed island would be impossible.

Feigning fear, she choked back tears. "Wasn't last night enough? Are you going to hit me now? Oh, I forgot, you have fits of rage. Fine, I'm just a sitting duck here; do whatever you want!"

He froze, his gaze softening at her teary eyes, his urgency palpable as he caressed her face, kissing her softly. "I could never hurt you. Even if I lose control, I'm still a man first and foremost. I only want to love you. Why would I harm you? From now on, I'll cherish you forever. Whitney, deep down, I've never touched Florence. I haven't betrayed you. Whether you believe it or not. But you and Bryce... consider it my punishment for failing you. Let's call it even. Let's not mention him again."

After his lips left hers, he wrapped her in a robe, his gaze cooling as he summoned the butler.

The butler entered, holding a glass of water and a small pill-a contraceptive.

Whitney's heart sank.

Ludwik, seeing her hesitation, offered it coldly. "Take it."

She knew it. Despite his claims of wanting a child from her, why the sudden change?

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He seemed to read her thoughts, holding her hand as he explained ruthlessly, "Despite our closeness last night, you admitted you and Bryce you might've been intimate in Banyan City days ago. I can't risk you carrying someone else's child. You're only to bear mine

Whitney was left speechless by his twisted logic. Though she and Bryce had barely shared a kiss, feeling. guilty towards him, she quickly swallowed the pill. She'd rather die than carry the child of a man so fickle, especially one still entangled With another woman.

This was her most fertile time; she needed to escape immediately.

With her resolve hidden deep, she coldly addressed Ludwik, "Why are you still here? I've taken the pill. Now leave."

Ludwik's expression softened slightly as he laid out clothes for her. "Get dressed and come down. I'll make you breakfast."

Once his towering figure descended, Whitney leaned against the door, finally exhaling. In the bathroom, she saw the bruises marring her skin, her anger boiling over.

As the hot water washed away her tears, her thoughts became a jumbled mess-her sons, Bryce, and Ludwik's haunting words: "Whitney, deep down, I've never touched Florence. I haven't betrayed you."

Was it all a lie? His eyes were so serious and cold when he spoke.

But what about the child growing inside Florence? How could she explain its conception?

Florence seemed absolutely certain it was his, and she wasn't even afraid to prove it with a paternity test!

Forget it, could she really believe anything this jerk said? After giving him the benefit of the doubt time and again, she was always left feeling foolish! Whitney shook her head, trying to clear it of these pointless thoughts.

She quickly dressed and silently made her way downstairs.

The mansion was absurdly large, and the living room was ridiculously spacious.

She didn't even bother looking for him in the dining room. Instead, she headed straight to the backyard,ê knowing her first order of business was to figure out where she was and then find a way to contact someone on the outside and escape!

Sure enough, the backyard was where the staff lived. Whitney saw several middle-aged housekeepers.

She walked up to them with a smile and extended her hand, "Hi, my phone got water damage. Could I borrow yours for a moment?"