Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



The moment Danny spotted Whitney, his little heart shattered into pieces, and he burst into tears, racing towards her, "Mommy, mommy... I've missed you so much."

Whitney's eyes brimmed with tears as she enveloped her son in a tight embrace, wishing she could fuse him into her very being, "Danny, I'm so sorry I vanished for so long. You must have been worried. Mommy's fine now, and I'll never leave you or Sammy again."

"It's all Dad's fault, I know, I know..." Danny sobbed, his voice hoarse, a trace of discomfort flashing in his eyes.

Despite feeling sympathy for his dad, he couldn't deny that Sammy's concerns were valid.

These days, he had been scrolling through websites, everyone was talking about how Mommy was taken away by Dad, how Mommy then married Bryce. People speculated whether Mommy was tainted, whether Bryce would abandon her, wondering if any man could ever accept a woman like Mommy again.

That's when Danny realized the extent of hurt Mommy had endured.

He found himself at a loss to defend his dad...

Whitney, however, didn't want to mention that man again.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she looked around for Sammy, her eyes filled with hope, which faded instantly.

Trembling, she asked, "Danny, where's Sammy? He said Sammy was rescued."

"Sammy's safe, don't worry, Mommy!"

Danny slightly pulled away to light up his smartwatch, trying to video call Sammy, "Sammy's been waiting for you too. He asked me to call him the moment I saw you. He misses you the most, Mommy."

Wiping away her tears, Whitney's heart felt like it was in shreds as she asked in a hoarse voice, "Where's my boy? Why... why isn't he coming home? Danny, have you seen your brother?"

“I've seen him, he's okay. About him not coming home, it's because, well..."

Danny, being straightforward, struggled to lie, but it was Sammy's request. He chose his words carefully, "Sammy got a little hurt, because the doctor who kidnapped him caused some injuries, so he's staying at the doctor's for treatment.”

Whitney's heart clenched as she remembered Florence's threat about Sammy undergoing brain surgery.

With her heart in her throat, she insisted, "Injured? So he's recuperating? I want to see him, bring him home."

“He will come home, Mommy, just be patient..."

But the call disconnected with a series of beeps, Sammy didn't pick up. Just as Whitney grew anxious, Danny reassured, "Sammy's free to move around. These days he's been keeping an eye on Grandpa's hospital room, worried about any danger. Mommy, he's being really smart. He even contacted me yesterday."

"I can vouch for that." Keegan approached, pushing a wheelchair, "I'm aware Danny went to see Sammy. Whitney, you've just got back, don't stress yourself too much. Come inside, and once Danny gets hold of Sammy, you can go see him."

Regaining her composure from the sadness, Whitney noticed her uncle and Yael were also present. She stood up to be embraced by Yael.

Keegan chimed in, "Alright, it's good to have you back. Let's not linger here. You've been on the plane all day without a bite to eat, I'll have the maid whip up something delicious."

Bryce led Whitney into the house.

Inside the familiar villa, Whitney could finally breathe. Her eyes misty, she looked around, suddenly remembering that Tiana wasn't there to welcome her.

"Tiana..." Whitney headed towards Tiana's room on the ground floor.

Opening the door, she saw the neatly made bed, but Cherry was absent.

Frowning, she quickly went upstairs, grabbed her spare phone, and dialed Tiana.

After a while, the call connected, and Tiana's voice, filled with surprise and joy, came through, "Whitney, is that you? This is your spare number, right?"

"Yes, it's me, Tiana."

"Oh my God, you're back. I've been so worried about you."

Tiana was on the verge of tears, "Ever since Ludwik kidnapped you, I've been scared he might keep you until... well, you know."

Whitney was speechless; Tiana had guessed it.

During the silence, Tiana continued, her voice laced with concern, "You didn't end up... with his child, did you?"

"What do you mean 'again'? Apart from three years ago, there's no 'again'," Whitney retorted, frowning.

“There was talk about Ludwik claiming you terminated his pregnancy. Were you pregnant or not?"

"Zip it, I wasn't," Whitney replied, feeling utterly embarrassed.

Tiana, sensing something was off, pressed on with the kind of worry only a close friend could show, "Whitney, by the sound of it, did Ludwik...?"

Whitney's temples throbbed as she gripped the phone tightly, barely holding back, "Is that all you can think about? Why aren't you at home? Where are you?"

"Don't even start." Tiana's mood shifted, "A few days ago, Cherry and I got into trouble and ended up in the hospital."

"What happened?" Whitney's concern peaked.

"I'm not sure who was behind it. I called Parker for help, and he saved us. But then, I saw the news; he's in trouble again! I'm stuck in the hospital and can't leave. The day it happened, Parker..."

Knock, knock, knock-

The door to Whitney's room opened, interrupting the call. She turned to see, "Danny, come in."

Danny rushed in, a sense of urgency

in his eyes, pointing to his

e

smartwatch, "Mommy, Sammy just called. He's headed to Grandpa's hospital. He saw on his computer that Hugh was nearby, but he didn't

enter. Sammy suspects Gradn't

might be in danger and told me to inform you to send help."

"What." Whitney's expression shifted, her lips turning pale, and she

quickly told Tiana on the phone "Tiana, something's come up. I'll call you back. Keep in touch."

“Is Uncle Hudson in trouble? Then you better hurry,” Tiana ended the call decisively.

Whitney stepped outside, clutching her phone, about to call Cody to hire some bodyguards,

when Bryce's towering figure approached her. Holding her coat, he frowned and said, "Whitney, let me come with you.

Sammy told me there might be a few people involved. I wouldn't rest easy knowing your dad could be in danger."

Whitney was taken aback, not expecting him to still be in touch with Sammy, nor for him to be so involved and far from disdainful of her family's troubles.

Touched by his concern, Keegan said with satisfaction, "Bryce always puts you first. Let him go with you. I'll be at ease knowing he's there. Your dad's safety is paramount. You two better hurry."

Nodding, Whitney quickly descended the stairs, with Bryce pulling the car around, draping her in her coat before leading her to the vehicle.

At the villa's entrance, Keegan watched Whitney with a sense of relief, saying to his daughter, "Thank goodness Whitney has Bryce."

Yael was happy for her sister, but couldn't help worrying, "Dad, do you think Mr. Lutz really doesn't mind Whitney being with her ex-husband?

I might be young, but I know men usually mind their women not being 'clean,' yet Mr. Lutz seems totally fine with it."noveldrama

Keegan paused, uncertain, and finally said, “Maybe Bryce loves Whitney so deeply. Just make sure not to bring this up in front of your sister."

Yael stopped herself.

At Sheldon Group Hospital.

Bryce asked Whitney to wait in the hallway while he and a team of bodyguards rushed into Hudson's room.

Shortly, they apprehended two individuals disguised as medical staff and carried out a nurse who had been knocked unconscious.

Just as Whitney was about to dash into the room, a long-missed, gentle child's voice filled with joy called out from behind her, "Mommy."