Love beyond the mask1-100

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Chapter_16

but I didn’t let them get away with it. I fought back as best as I could, and when I managed to escape, I came home.” Whitney’s voice cracked, and she swallowed the lump in her throat, her eyes brimming with tears but refusing to let them fall.

Ludwik stood frozen, his hand still hovering over her injured back, as if the shock of her words paralyzed him for a moment. She had been attacked? By Preston and her stepmother? His mind raced, calculating the possible consequences, but the only thing that stood out was the image of Whitney being hurt and struggling alone.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was softer now, tinged with frustration and guilt. “You could’ve called me, and I would’ve been there. You know I would’ve been there.”

Whitney’s gaze hardened slightly as she met his eyes. “You weren’t there when I needed you. You didn’t give me a chance, Ludwik. You were so focused on the baby’s health, so sure that I’d be fine. You left without a second thought. You didn’t see what I went through tonight.”

The words hit him like a slap to the face, and he instinctively reached for her, cupping her cheek gently. “I didn’t know,” he whispered, the weight of his own failure sinking in. “I’m sorry, Whitney. I didn’t know.”

Whitney looked away, her heart heavy. “I know you didn’t. But it doesn’t change the fact that I was alone when I needed someone.”

Ludwik closed his eyes briefly, trying to gather his thoughts, but the tension between them felt unbearable. “I should have stayed,” he admitted, his voice thick with regret. “I should have known better, but I… I thought I was protecting you by making sure the baby was safe. I thought you’d be alright.”

Whitney remained quiet, biting her lip. She could feel the sincerity in his words, but the distance between them had grown, and it wasn’t just physical.

He sighed deeply, before gently lifting her shirt again to inspect her back. His fingers traced the edges of the bruise, his touch soft yet purposeful. “This is bad. You should have told me, Whitney. You shouldn’t have had to deal with this alone.”

“I didn’t want to worry you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But now I can’t even walk properly without pain. I didn’t want to seem weak.”

Ludwik’s eyes darkened, his frustration at the situation brewing once more. “You’re not weak. You’re strong, but you shouldn’t have to carry everything by yourself. I’ve been a fool. I should have paid more attention to you, to what you needed.”

He leaned in, his lips brushing her forehead in a tender, almost apologetic gesture. “I’m not going anywhere, Whitney. Not this time. I’ll make sure no one hurts you again. I promise.”

Whitney closed her eyes, allowing herself to feel the comfort of his presence. She wasn’t sure if she could fully trust him yet, not after everything that had happened, but in this moment, she could feel the sincerity of his apology.

She sighed, her body relaxing a little as Ludwik gently rubbed the ointment into her bruise. For the first time that evening, she allowed herself to sink into the warmth of his care, even if only for a moment.

“I’m sorry too,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I didn’t mean to push you away. I just… I didn’t know how to handle everything.”

Ludwik didn’t say anything in response. Instead, he simply held her hand, a silent promise that he would be there for her from now on. There were still many things left unsaid between them, many obstacles that they would need to face together. But for tonight, at least, he would stand by her side.

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