Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 544

Four hours had passed, and Dr. Ford hadn't come out as promised.

Ludwik stood there, his calm slowly ebbing away.

Danny, his eyes reddened, whispered to Parker, "Uncle Parker, didn’t you say Grandma’s surgery would only take four hours? Why isn’t it over yet? Daddy looks so pale."

"Right... I did say that, but only if everything went smoothly..." Parker trailed off, almost slapping himself for potentially jinxing it.

"Danny, just hold your horses," Whitney stood up and walked over to comfort her son, "Not every surgery can be timed to the minute. The doctors have to adjust based on what they encounter. Let's just wait patiently. Look, since Dr. Ford hasn’t come out halfway through signaling any complications, that’s a good sign."

Her gaze shifted towards Ludwik, still as a statue.

Ludwik caught her glance, realizing she was comforting him. Her face was so gentle, igniting a longing in him to hold her close.

He looked down, his voice nearly a whisper, "Whitney, can I hug you?"

Whitney found herself unable to refuse, seeing him at his most vulnerable, as if he were a child about to lose his mother.

She approached, offering a tissue, her slender shoulders leaning into his sturdy embrace.

Ludwik held her tight, his chin resting on her soft neck, his stubble grazing her skin painfully.

His masculine scent enveloped her, causing her to lose focus.

But the moment was brief; he let her go, advising, "You should sit down, standing too long will tire you out."

"I’m fine, try not to worry," Whitney started to say.

His lips finally curved into a slight smile.

In that moment, the air seemed to still, hinting at a brighter future…

Clang—

The OR light went off, and the sterile doors slowly opened.

Everyone held their breath.

Dr. Ford, mask removed, appeared, followed by a successfully operated-on Natalie.

Ludwik's gaze turned fiery red.

Approaching, Dr. Ford shared the good news, "Mr. Lippert, Natalie’s surgery was a success. The spinal cord donated by Florence matched perfectly, and there were no signs of rejection. Natalie will wake up from the anesthesia soon, and you’ll be able to talk to her."

Ludwik remained silent.

Parker, unable to contain his excitement, nudged him, "Ludwik, come on, Natalie’s going to wake up soon!"

"That’s wonderful! Natalie’s such a good person, blessed by fate," Tiana couldn’t help but cheer.

"Take my mother to her room," Ludwik managed to say, his voice restrained.

As Natalie was wheeled into her room, still unconscious, Ludwik turned to give Whitney a deep look.

The woman, holding her son, smiled back at him.

This moment, so precious, Ludwik wondered if his mother would be happy knowing Whitney was carrying his child again.

She would be.