Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



In the bedroom.

Tiana peeked out the door, then turned back to help Whitney up, saying, "Whitney, I think I heard Ludwik's call was from a doctor, something about his mother? He left in a hurry..."

Whitney's glazed eyes slightly lifted.

Outside, Keegan's wheelchair moved past from the next room but didn't enter the bedroom.

Torin stood by as Keegan sighed deeply, his heart heavy, "Whitney's ill too. All because of the Bartels family's dirty deeds, we lost our dear Sammy... It's my fault, I'm powerless, couldn't offer her any help. Torin, I've realized, she needs to return to her roots... You mentioned the Sheldon family from Emperor City, when will Hudson come to claim her? Ludwik's unreliable, Whitney needs a family to lean on!"

After the kidnapping of Sammy, Keegan desperately wished for Whitney to have strong protection to rise again.

Torin silently sighed, signing to Keegan, "It should be soon. I've sent out Ms. Parisa's token, and the head of the Sheldon family has already visited the Banyan City cemetery to pay respects. He can easily find Whitney, but for such a large family, acknowledging his daughter requires some preparation..."

Keegan understood. Whitney was born out of wedlock, and the Sheldon family, as he'd heard, was a vast dynasty from Emperor City.

Ludwik rushed to the hospital. The drizzle dampened his fine suit slightly, his imposing stride cutting through the corridors. The sign for Oncology loomed large, casting a shadow over Ludwik, who was told to wait here by his mother's specialist...

His tall frame rarely needed to watch where he was going, but in his haste, he accidentally bumped into a girl.

A 'thud' as the girl's papers scattered across the floor. She too fell, her ink-black hair spreading over her white dress, her lace hat knocked off, and as she fainted, the faint scent of medicine wafted around her.

Ludwik paused, noticing her pale lips. He, always dignified, rarely helped up those he bumped into. But this time, Felix wasn't by his side. Ludwik kneeled, gathering the papers, just as a nurse gasped, "There's a patient fainting over there!"

Seeing no sign of her awakening, he reluctantly picked her up. Intending to leave her on a chair and move on. But as he did, her hair spread out, revealing her delicate face. The dim daylight, due to the rain, made Ludwik's dark eyes linger.

That face..... At first glance, he almost thought it was Whitney. After a moment's pause, he realized it wasn't her. Ludwik felt a strange tug at his heart, his grip loosening. The girl weakly woke, her voice clear but sad, "Thank you, sir, just... leave the papers beside me."

Ludwik, indifferent, bent down to place the papers. His gaze inadvertently caught the word 'terminal', with a prognosis of one to two years. He realized the severity of the girl's condition. But the cold man felt no sympathy.

"Please, hand them to me..." She seemed surprised he read the papers, standing up, her fingers trembling as she reached for them.

"Are you okay?" Ludwik found himself asking, ready to call a nurse.

et

"It's nothing..."The girl managed a bitter smile, tears rolling down her face, soaking his sleeve. She apologized, her eyes wet yet numb, "Every patient here is prepared for the worst. Do you also have a family member waiting for results? I hope they're healthy, not like me."

Her cough, reminiscent of Whitney's, made Ludwik look again, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Goodbye." She nodded gently, walking away alone. Ludwik, about to search for an elevator, was approached by a medical assistant, "Mr. Lippert, Dr. Ford is in the lab with some experts for your mother's final consultation. Could you wait half an hour?"

Ludwik's heart sank, what illness

needed such consultation? He

nodded, lost in thought, realizing he still held the girl's medical report RH-negative blood type caught his eye, a rare type, the same as his mother's. The coincidence, and that face, so like Whitney's...

Ludwik lit a cigarette, alone, decided to follow her. The girl was quickly surrounded by a gang in a downpour, medical papers flying.

One taunted, "Such a pity for a pretty girl... born into wealth, judging by your skin. We've been watching you. Before you die, let us 'take care' of you..."

They cornered her against a wall, the rain soaking her hair and innocent face. Her expression was one of despair and resignation, not even struggling, her eyes empty and fearful.

In the deserted alley, masked by the sound of rain, her fate seemed sealed. Ludwik, watching from the entrance, wasn't one to interfere. Yet, gazing at that familiar face, he flicked away his cigarette, a decision made.

In the blink of an eye, his towering figure disappeared into the rain, and within moments, agonized cries filled the air as the hoodlums fell to the ground, their complaints echoing into the night.

The girl, shivering and clutching her head, took deep breaths to calm herself. When she finally lifted her gaze, he eyes wide and startled like a deer caught in headlights, she saw him "Sir, why is it you again?" There was a mix of surprise and relief in her tone.

Grateful, she navigated her way past the groaning thugs towards the tall figure of Ludwik. The girl coughed violently a few times, her breath short, her face pale, and her eyes rimmed with red.

Ludwik, his expression unreadable, didn't bother to offer his coat or any comfort. Apart from Whitney, he rarely paid any attention to women.

"I... Thank you, sir. I'm sorry for the trouble again. Is there any way I can repay you..." Her voice was low, her eyes soft with gratitude.

"It was just the right thing to do," Ludwik said, sparing his words, as he handed back her medical report. "Aren't you accompanied?"Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"My maid went to get the car," she replied with a small smile, clutching the report tightly. Ludwik glanced in the direction she indicated but said no

more.

However, he paused, studying her face closely for a few seconds before asking, "Do you know Whitney?" His question came out of nowhere, laced with a hint of curiosity.