Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 729

“Why does it still hurt? Should I grab some aspirin or something?”

“No, no! I’m a tough guy; I can handle it.” Danny vehemently shook his head, convinced that popping pills without a real ailment was basically asking for trouble.

Blame it on that deadbeat dad of his, always roping him into his schemes.

Of course, if the old man tried playing the sympathy card, not even a visit from mom would get him out of his grave.

“Mom, let’s head downstairs. I’m kinda hungry,” Danny tried to deflect.

Whitney sighed and nodded, helping Danny get washed up before carrying him downstairs.

But once in the living room, there was no sign of Ludwik.

She couldn’t help but complain. “Seriously, his son’s been in an accident, and he’s off who knows where at the crack of dawn.”

Was this how he always took care of Danny?

Reluctantly, she moved to the kitchen, opening the fridge to scout for something quick to whip up.

Just then, Ludwik strode in, decked out in workout gear – a damp white T-shirt clinging to his toned chest and abs, grey sweatpants, and sleek running shoes. His athletic ensemble made him look both youthful and ruggedly attractive, oozing masculinity.

Especially striking was his face, damp hair and a slightly sweaty brow only adding to his allure... irresistibly rugged.

Whitney’s gaze involuntarily drifted down to those grey sweatpants.

A thought unbidden crossed her mind: Grey sweatpants on a man are like lingerie on a woman...

“...Geez.”

She inadvertently checked him out, noting he seemed... well-equipped. For a moment, she lost her train of thought, her face heating up.

What was she even thinking? Ludwik, with his model-like looks, could easily dazzle anyone.

And there he was, having the audacity to jog, likely turning heads left and right.

Irritated, Whitney snapped, “Got a lot of free time, huh? Your son’s sick, and you’re out jogging?”

“I went to grab some breakfast, thought I’d run too,” Ludwik quickly explained.

Whitney just glared.

Approaching her, he lowered his voice. “I saw that doctor, you know. He said to really get better, I need to stay active.”

His already deep voice, now laced with a post-exercise huskiness, was distractingly sexy.

Whitney felt her cheeks burn under his breathy words.

Danny, oblivious, piped up, “What’s getting treated, Dad? Where?”

“...” Whitney’s face was a study in embarrassment.

Ludwik’s handsome face tensed, then he sternly replied, “Kid stuff, Danny. Don’t pry.”

“But you keep saying it’s not getting better. I’m just worried, no gratitude!” Danny huffed, feeling slighted.

Whitney shot Ludwik a look of despair.

Ludwik, cornered, slowly explained, “It’s around my back, okay?”

“Just say back then, why make a mystery of it?”

“I heard from Parker and Ashton that a man’s back is important, somehow linked to women?”

“You better get it treated soon.” Danny, feigning wisdom, advised before taking his seat at the table.

Ludwik shared a long look with Whitney, noticing her flushed face, a mix of cute and embarrassed.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Whitney cut him off, “Your friends, teaching Danny all the wrong things. Great role models, huh?”

“He picks up on things by himself,” Ludwik defended, narrowing his eyes playfully, “Besides, isn’t Parker your friend too? You seem pretty concerned about him.”