Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1293

Everyone was tiptoeing around her feelings—Whitney could see it clear as day.

But it was Sandy, right beside her, who couldn’t hold back her frustration. “All this mess started with Ludwik, and now the Lipperts think they have the moral high ground? They have no right to accuse you of not being a good mom!”

“Grandma didn’t mean it like that,” Whitney murmured, tugging at Sandy’s sleeve.

Sandy wasn’t having it. She scoffed, “Oh, please. They want their grandkids, and they want you back with Ludwik. They act all grateful and sweet, but really, they’re just waiting for you to cave in because they know you’re soft-hearted.”

Whitney shot her a sideways glance. “With that attitude, I’m surprised you didn’t fight tooth and nail when the Nelsons tried to marry you off. Didn’t peg you for such a rebel, Sandy.”

Sandy blushed. “I just don’t get it. Why do these big families always have to play so many games? Why can’t we just be ourselves around these guys?”

Whitney paused, her eyes shifting. She leaned in, whispering, “Still such a kid. Being yourself is great, but you’re a mom now, honey. Life’s about figuring out the balance between freedom and compromise.

What do you want me to say to Grandma? That I don’t want this kid?

That’s not true. And if I said that out loud, don’t you think Sammy and Danny would be heartbroken?

My kids come first. Always.

Men are way down the list—Ludwik’s not even the point here. You’ve got your priorities mixed up, Sandy.”

Sandy seemed taken aback, staring at little Tina, who was tugging her hand and looking up with big eyes.

“Mommy, Danny and Sammy are going back to their room—I wanna go play too!”

She was waiting for her mom’s approval.

Sandy’s heart melted. She nodded, and the kids all stampeded out, leaving the adults to watch the doctor check up on the baby.

Ludwik wandered over to Whitney’s side, casting a tall shadow over her petite frame—though Whitney wasn’t exactly short, he just towered over everyone.

He looked at her pale, delicate profile, his mind stuck on what she’d just said: Ludwik’s not even the point here.

It hit him hard, right where his insecurities lived.

He shot one last look at Sandy, then ducked into the kids’ room.

A few minutes later, Tina came running back, crying, her little dress soaked through. “Mommy…”

Sandy spun around, alarmed. “Tina! Why are you all wet? You’re still running a fever! Where’s your dad?”

She rushed over.

Tina was dangling by the collar from her dad’s big hand as he set her down.

He looked down his nose, completely unfazed. “Your daughter was being a little gremlin—she and Sammy got into the sink, look at her!”

In Tina’s mind, she was cursing her dad out in every language she knew.

He was the real troublemaker—the one who told her to hop in the tub in the first place!