Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1020

She was the epitome of kindness, grace, and warmth, always able to discern right from wrong. Even when faced with situations that left her startled and initially resistant, she would eventually come around, especially if a child's welfare was at stake. That much he was sure of.

Yet, the words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat, never making it out.

“What do you mean by actually?” Whitney eyed him suspiciously, trying to decipher the unspoken thoughts behind his evasive gaze.

“Nothing, let's just get dinner started, I’m famished.” Ludwik’s slender fingers rested elegantly on his knee.

Whitney pursed her lips, sensing his reluctance. She had seen him return home, looking rather out of sorts. Frowning slightly, she probed, “Are you sure it's nothing?”

The man paused, a faint smile playing on his lips, “I was just about to compliment you on being a great mother. What, want to hear more?”

Whitney brushed off his comment with annoyance and turned away, her slim figure heading towards the kitchen.

Ludwik leaned forward to grab his glass, his gaze darkening.

A small figure approached, Sammy, having finally managed to send Danny upstairs to get dressed.

Sammy came to his dad's side, catching Ludwik's attention.

He had already noticed Sammy's unease.

Almost in sync with Sammy's worried glance towards the kitchen, Ludwik wrapped an arm around his concerned child, his voice somber, “She’s back, daddy brought your sister home, but...”

“But what?” Sammy looked up, his eyes reddening, “I want to see her. Daddy, I want to see her!”

“It’s complicated.”

Ludwik sighed, gripping his son's trembling hand, placing a finger to his lips to keep him quiet, “We can’t let mommy hear.”

“Why is it bad?” Sammy couldn’t accept it, a tear rolling down his cheek, “How can my sister be in a bad state?”

“She’s been through a lot, and daddy is sorry.” Ludwik stroked his head, his expression unreadable, finally promising, “I’ll take you to see your sister.”

Unable to hold back his tears, Sammy buried his face in his father's shoulder.

When Whitney came out with a bowl of oatmeal and some side dishes, Sammy quickly wiped his eyes with his sleeve and looked complicatedly at his unknowing mother before pretending to walk away.

Ludwik watched his son with a heavy heart.

As breakfast time arrived, members of the Lippert family began to gather.

From the side wing, Riley Lippert and his wife, accompanied by a bewildered Justin Lippert, made their appearance.

Camilla, assisted by her caretaker, emerged from her bedroom on the ground floor.

Seeing Ludwik, Camilla paused, then shouted upstairs, “Whitney, Whitney... look, Ludwik’s back! I told you not to worry, Ludwik isn’t a disobedient child. See how much he cares about his twins, he’s home now!”

“Grandma.” Ludwik lifted his dark eyes, signaling her to look towards the kitchen, “Whitney knew I was back. She even made breakfast for me.”

“Huh?!” Camilla immediately felt embarrassed by her loudness and rushed to peek into the kitchen.

Whitney poked her head out, flustered by Ludwik’s suggestive words, she explained, “I got his message in the morning, brought the kids down. He hadn’t had breakfast and looked tired, so I just made some oatmeal.”

The implication was clear; she was merely obliging, not positioning herself as a devoted wife and mother.