Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1272

Hudson listened quietly, then sighed, impressed by her quick thinking. After a moment, he ruffled his daughter’s hair, his voice calm but firm, “Alright, we’ll do it your way. When it comes to people who treat you badly, don’t bother being polite.”

He gave her a big bear hug, then turned and walked away, carrying a weight of exhaustion and disgust in his step.

Whitney couldn’t help feeling sorry for her dad. The Sheldon family might look simple from the outside, but inside, it was a whole different story—full of secrets and tension.

She remembered back when her parents split up. That old lady had definitely played her part in all the drama.

A chill ran through her as her gaze drifted toward the back of the hospital room.

After pulling herself together, Whitney pushed open the door gently. “Mom?”

Her voice was soft and sweet, with a playful lilt.

Parisa glanced up right then, and her eyes lit up at the sight of her daughter, her smile warm and loving.

She, too, had managed to tuck away all the tangled pain in her heart.

Patting the edge of the bed, Parisa beamed. “Whitney, you’re back? Come sit with me.”

Whitney felt her heart melt. She grinned goofily, moving a chair over as she replied in a singsong voice, “Mom, you’re so clingy.”

Parisa blinked in surprise at her daughter’s playful tone, then burst out laughing, her heart full. “Of course I am! I’d keep you by my side every minute if I could.”

“Mom…” Whitney leaned over and hugged her tight, careful of her mom’s injuries but needing the comfort as much as she gave it.

Right then, Whitney felt like the luckiest, most loved daughter in the whole world.

“Mom! I haven’t even thought about that yet.”

Parisa laughed. “Whether you have or not, I need his help right now, so I can’t afford to treat him badly. You’re my daughter, so maybe you should be a little nicer to him too?”

“Mom, you always take his side! Has Ludwik been sweet-talking you again?”

Parisa chuckled, “He’s ambitious, clever, and tough—and most importantly, he’s only tough on others. With you, he’s a softie.”

Whitney pouted. “You’re always bringing it back to me. Honestly, I think Dad was more loyal. Ludwik’s already had two fiancées, and neither of them stuck!”

Parisa looked like she wanted to argue, but when Hudson’s name came up, her eyes grew distant, a shadow passing through them.