Love beyond the mask201-300

Novel Catalog

Chapter_221

Whitney blinked, pulling herself from the spiral of her thoughts. She hadn’t realized how deeply the sight of Ludwik had unsettled her until that moment. No matter how fiercely she tried to convince herself she had moved on, the emotions she had buried clawed their way back to the surface, raw and unrelenting.

Bryce’s voice, warm and grounding, cut through the haze. “Let’s go meet her. My mother’s eager to see you.”

She nodded, attempting to gather herself. It wasn’t fair—to Bryce, or to herself—to keep letting Ludwik haunt her like this. Bryce had been kind, unwaveringly respectful. He had asked nothing of her but played along for her sake. Still, a part of her couldn’t escape the pull of the past—the memory of a man who once meant everything.

As they walked toward the boutique entrance, Whitney risked one last glance behind her. Ludwik sat beside Elaine, looking effortlessly poised, his attention now elsewhere. The contrast struck her like a silent blow. Ludwik—the man she had loved with her whole heart. And Bryce—the man standing beside her now, pretending to be the father of her child for the sake of appearances.

Her heart throbbed with an ache she couldn’t name. Still, she tore her gaze away and followed Bryce forward.

Waiting for them was Mrs. Lutz—a striking woman, graceful and sharp-eyed, her presence commanding without being overbearing. Her smile was polite, though tinged with appraisal.

“Whitney,” she greeted, offering her hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Bryce speaks very highly of you.”

Whitney returned the gesture with practiced grace. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Mrs. Lutz.”

“Oh, let’s not bother with formalities,” she said with a light chuckle. “It’s been madness preparing for this wedding, but I wanted to take a moment to get to know you. Of course, we’ll find the perfect gown for Elaine, but I thought a bit of conversation would be far more valuable.”

Her tone was affable, but Whitney felt the unspoken weight behind it. This was a performance—just like everything else.

As they moved deeper into the boutique, Whitney found herself watching Elaine and Ludwik from the corner of her eye. The two of them were a picture of easy charm, laughing softly, moving in sync. Their world felt polished and untouchable. It made Whitney feel like a ghost drifting through someone else’s dream.

Then, like fate twisting the knife, she caught Ludwik’s reflection in a grand mirror ahead. His gaze met hers in the glass—just for a second. But it was enough. His eyes were distant, unreadable. Cold.

He turned away.

Whitney’s breath caught. The sting of it left her hollow.

“Whitney?” Bryce’s voice cut through the stillness. “You’ve gone quiet. Everything alright?”

She blinked and forced a smile—fragile, but composed. “I’m fine. Just… a little tired.”

Bryce didn’t press, but concern flickered in his eyes. He turned to his mother. “I think we’ll call it a day. Whitney’s been incredible, but I don’t want to push her too much.”

Mrs. Lutz inclined her head, studying Whitney a moment longer before replying, “Of course. But I do hope we’ll have more time to chat soon.”

Outside, the air was cooler, freer. Whitney exhaled slowly, as if shedding a second skin. Yet even as the sun warmed her skin, the shadow of what had passed clung to her.

What if Ludwik still cared?
What if beneath that icy exterior, he still felt something?

Bryce’s voice pulled her back again. “Home? Or maybe a coffee? No pressure—just company, if you’d like it.”

Whitney hesitated. A part of her longed for comfort, even distraction. But another part—the guarded one—knew she wasn’t ready. Not yet.

“I think I’ll head home,” she said softly, meeting his eyes with gentle sincerity. “But thank you, Bryce. For everything today.”

He nodded, a small smile on his lips—warm, but distant, as though he, too, sensed the invisible wall between them. “Anytime, Whitney. Really.”

As she walked away, her thoughts turned inward again. The truth about Elaine. The secrets behind Ludwik’s silence. The elaborate lies that kept them all bound together. It was more than she had ever imagined.

But Whitney had made her choice.

She would fight, even if she had to walk through the fire alone. Because behind every polished façade was a truth waiting to be revealed. And no matter how far it slipped from reach, she would chase it until the very end.

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