Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1281

“Go ahead, walk out that door. Abandon your husband and kid,” Ludwik said dryly.

Whitney rolled her eyes, wanting to snap back, but seeing the state he was in, she bit back her retort. “I’m not about to run off to see her right now, okay? It’s just... I’m worried, all right? Valerie disappeared after losing her baby—she must be miserable.”

Ludwik’s gaze dropped, his expression unreadable.

Parker caught his eye, shrugged, and muttered, “Hey, maybe spend less energy worrying about everyone else and focus on Ludwik here, huh? Patch things up, live happily ever after or whatever. What could possibly be more important than your own man?”

Whitney shot him a glare, cheeks flushing at the interruption. “How about you stop butting into other people’s business, huh?”

“...”

Honestly, Parker couldn’t figure out what Ludwik saw in Whitney. She was sharp-tongued and feisty as hell, but Ludwik was head over heels for her.

Thinking about his own girlfriend, Parker figured she was all right too—maybe a little hot-tempered and clueless, but at least she didn’t scheme like Whitney!

Worried Whitney would start poking around about Valerie, Parker decided to keep his mouth shut.

Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Tiana: *Did they catch Bryce? Is Ludwik out of danger? ...If you’re coming back soon, that’s great. I’ll be waiting for you.*

A grin tugged at his lips.

Parker arched a brow and tucked his phone away.

Whitney noticed his changing expressions and eyed him suspiciously. “Was that Tiana?”

“Yeah, it was her.” Parker didn’t bother denying it. Tiana saying she’d wait for him made him feel all sorts of happy. Let her learn to miss him, to trust him—maybe it was best if Whitney didn’t get tangled up in this Banyan City mess.

He could handle things on his own. Plus, it’d give Tiana another reason to be grateful.

If he sorted out Valerie’s trouble, then finally married Tiana, that girl wouldn’t have any excuse left—she’d have to be thankful, right?

Parker was already planning it out.

But Ludwik cut him off, deadpan, “You can stay at a hotel tonight. Don’t make yourself too comfortable here—it’s late, I’m not seeing you out.”

...The hell? Kicking me out already? What’s your hurry, man?

Ludwik turned, his gaze softening as he looked at Whitney. “Whitney, help me back to bed, will you? I’m not feeling great. Could you give me a hand with a sponge bath?”

Parker: ...

This bastard’s got one thing on his mind—shameless!

So much for brotherhood, Parker thought bitterly.

He shot Ludwik a look, but the guy just stared back, looking completely unbothered.

Parker snorted and called across the room, “Ms. Valentine, why bother taking care of this old lech? Watch out or he’ll drag you in with him. If you ask me, there’s a hot water dispenser down the hallway—grab a bucket and scrub him down good! He’s got a hide like a rhinoceros; it’s about time someone cleaned him up properly!”