Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 766

She had given birth to two sons, yet she retained the air of a young woman. Only her deep, hazel eyes held the weight of her stories, like a fine red wine becoming richer and more tantalizing with time.

"Ludwik, why are you staring at Mommy like that? You're gonna burn holes in her with that gaze."

Out of the blue, Danny's complaint cut through the air. He couldn't for the life of him understand what was so fascinating about Mommy's swimsuit – to him, it was downright ugly.

Sammy couldn't help but slap the back of the clueless troublemaker's head.

Come on, Ludwik wasn't even looking at the swimsuit, for crying out loud.

"Cough, cough." The innocent comment made Whitney's cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Ludwik, too, showed a hint of discomfort. Catching the blush on his lady's cheeks, he shot her a look and eased the awkwardness with a slight curve of his lips, "You two, get into the pool and soak a bit. Don't catch a cold standing around."

"Danny, you can't swim, let Mommy hold you!"

Whitney quickly took her son into the water.

Sammy followed suit, sticking close to Mommy.

Ludwik, trying to win his son's favor, said, "Sammy, Mom can't handle both of you. Come with me to the deep end, and I'll teach you the butterfly stroke."

"I already know how to do that," Sammy replied indifferently. "Mom taught me ages ago. It's been three years, and you still haven't managed to teach Danny how to swim."

"..." Ludwik was momentarily ashamed.

He coughed slightly, explaining, "I didn't teach Danny before because he was frail, and the doctor said it wasn't suitable."

Seeing his patient explanation, Sammy felt a mix of emotions. His dad was undoubtedly flawed.

But considering how Danny often spoke of his father's heroic deeds with admiration, it was clear he had put in the effort in raising Danny.

Somehow, Ludwik's cautious and patient demeanor touched Sammy.

Admitting to himself that he had a kind heart, Sammy decided to spare his dad's feelings, "Well, I don't know the breaststroke. Maybe you could teach me that."

The breaststroke? For someone who knew the complex butterfly stroke?

Ludwik's eyes narrowed slightly, quickly catching on to Sammy's attempt to lighten the mood.

He didn't expose the boy's cute effort. Lately, Sammy had been less resistant, a promising sign.

He gently offered his hand, "Come, let Dad show you."

Suddenly, a splash from the other side caught their attention.

Following that was Whitney's panicked voice, "Danny! If you jump on me like that, I'll lose my balance..."

"Whitney!" Ludwik turned to see Danny and Whitney both tumbling into the hot spring.

The water wasn't deep, but the bottom was uneven with natural stones.

He swiftly swam over.

Sammy followed, "Mommy, get Danny up first."

The father and son reached Whitney's side. Ludwik, with his strong arms, quickly lifted Whitney from the water while pulling Danny up as well.

His handsome face was also dotted with water drops, the dim night light accentuating his sharp features, adding a hint of wicked charm, "With our sons around, I didn’t want any man to see how sexy you can be, hence the conservative choice."

"..."

Whitney was at a loss for words, wondering how he could be so childish.

Her dumbfounded expression amused Ludwik. He stepped closer, his voice low and possibly teasing, "I'm sorry about what Danny mentioned... that time I climbed on you... I was drugged by Elaine Bartels, unaware that our son was spying, even waiting outside our suite."

"Why bring that up! Ludwik, have you no shame?"

Whitney's neck blushed a deeper red as she pushed him away.

"I didn't want you to misunderstand, I failed to educate our son properly," he murmured lowly, his eyes sincere yet filled with innocence.

Whitney was at a loss for words.

In the steamy ambiance of the hot spring, her heart raced with warmth. She turned, thinking of making a quick escape to the shore, her mind flashing back to the moment a few days ago when he had pinned her against the bookshelf in the ballroom's library and kissed her, sending shivers down her spine.

"Don't go." Ludwik's voice was soft as he gently caught her hand.

With the usual pair of little troublemakers nowhere in sight, he couldn't let this rare moment slip by.

He had something important to say.

His gaze was intense as he spoke in a low voice, "That day, when Bryce's secretary suddenly passed away, I noticed it really affected you. You seemed so distraught. Did you sense something was off?"

Whitney stiffened, her lips pressed together, "What are you trying to say?"