Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1188

“Mom, can you not go all ‘Ludwik, Ludwik’ at him? Dad literally took two bullets trying to take down that scumbag Bryce for you. The least you could do is be a little more gentle, you know? Maybe call him ‘honey,’ or ‘babe,’ or even ‘dear.’ That’s how you get closer! You get me?”

Danny grumbled out his lecture, his mouth full of BBQ ribs, sauce smeared at the corners.

Wait, what now?

Whitney actually shivered at the thought, her whole face nearly turning pale, cheeks burning with embarrassment. “You little rascal! Have you been binge-watching those soap operas again while I wasn’t looking? What on earth are you learning from them?”

She glared at him. “I told you, stop hanging out with your great-grandma so much.”

“Look at Sammy, will you? He’s your age and already building robots, writing code, and solving math problems like a pro.”

Danny’s eyes widened in outrage, waving his rib in protest. “Wow, so you’re disappointed in me again! You have no idea how to keep a man, Mom. Need me to teach you?”

Whitney nearly choked. This kid’s head was always in the clouds, worrying about things he shouldn’t. She was about two seconds away from losing her cool. “Listen, kiddo, grown-up stuff isn’t for you to butt into. You don’t get it, and you’re not helping.”

Danny heaved a dramatic sigh, rolling his eyes. “If I don’t help, you and Dad will be divorced until I’m old enough to get married myself!”

Whitney opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words, while Shane burst out laughing at the end of the table.

She shot him a look, threw down her napkin, and got up. “Keep squawking and I’ll stop feeding you altogether. Enough! Eat your dinner, all of you.”

Sammy, as usual, played the peacemaker, stifling a laugh and glancing at his brother. “Mom, Danny’s got a point, even if he’s a bit much. Maybe listen to him a little.”

“You’re the slyest of them all,” Whitney muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose as she left the room.

She made her way to Ludwik’s hospital room, still fuming from the boys. Part of her wanted to take it out on Ludwik, maybe even accuse him of bribing the kids to gang up on her.