Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1277

He lurched forward, clearly about to get up…

Both sons stared, eyes wide.

Whitney’s face drained of color. She pressed a slender hand to his shoulder. “Don’t you move!”

He grinned, “Alright, Ms. Valentine, you’re the boss.”

“….”

Seeing how pissed she was, Ludwik licked his lips, Adam’s apple bobbing, his usually gruff voice turning oddly gentle. “I know you’re just worried about me. But look, I’m fine.

Seems like whatever I do, it’s never right in your eyes.

If I don’t visit our daughter, you say I don’t care.

If I do visit, you say I’m acting on my own.

Danny, Sammy, your old man’s got it rough now. If she keeps bullying me like this, you two better keep your eyes open. Don’t take her side every time, or she’ll end up bossing me around for life.”

He let out a dramatic sigh, dark brows furrowed, looking comically put out.

Whitney opened her mouth, but couldn’t even think of a good comeback.

Sammy and Danny exchanged a look.

Off to the side, Parker burst out laughing. “Ha! Whitney, finally met your match, huh? If this guy decides to play the victim, you’re in for trouble. And doing it in front of everyone, too—kick him where it counts!”

Whitney honestly wanted to boot him, if only he hadn’t just started showing signs of improvement.

Her face frosty, she bent over, trying to take the baby from his arms.

What was he in such a rush for?

Thinking of something, her gaze softened, and she hesitated. “If you’re worried about helping my mom with that thing—don’t. I talked to her just now. She said not to rush, and Bryce’s fate isn’t even certain yet. She trusts you’ll get to the bottom of it.”

That was part of why Ludwik wanted out early, of course. But not the main reason. He gently passed the baby to the doctor, watching as she was placed in the incubator.

Only then did he look back at Whitney, pulling her closer by the hand.

Whitney lost her balance and nearly stumbled into his chest. As she bent over, his lips brushed her ear, his voice a low, secret rumble, “Honestly, I just want to get home as soon as possible—so you can start treating me. I can’t wait to find out if I’m really all better.”

He finished, eyes flicking briefly, meaningfully, below his belt.

Whitney followed his gaze, her ears burning. Surrounded by people, she couldn’t stoop to his level, so she just clamped her mouth shut and shoved at him, mortified.