Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 348

"I'll get it myself," Whitney said, feeling an unexpected closeness as the warmth of the man next to her seemed to radiate through the air.

She tried to step back but suddenly found her arm caught in his firm grasp. "Careful," he warned.

A floor cleaner was passing right behind her.

His deep voice sent an intriguing shiver down her neck, much to her annoyance.

Frustrated, Whitney reached for another bottle on the higher shelf.

"You're too short to reach that. Aren't they all the same anyway?" he questioned, baffled by her insistence.

"Short? I'm not short!" At 5'5", Whitney wasn't tall, but she loathed being called short.

Her glare was both fierce and somewhat comical, causing Ludwik to pause before teasing, "You're not short, sure. You'd barely make it under my arm, though." Whitney's forehead creased in irritation.

He even gestured to emphasize his point, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Turning his head slightly, he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear, "But this height difference... it's quite convenient for, well, kissing and... um." Realizing he was about to say too much, Whitney stepped on his foot, shutting him up before he could continue.

What was he thinking, saying something like that?

Her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment, especially with her son nearby.

Ludwik sensed he'd gone too far, especially after noticing her reaction. "Sorry. Need anything from the top shelf?" he said, trying to change the subject.

too annoyed to respond, walked away in her

son giving him a look of

face darkened, "This is not the

drifted towards the carousel outside the store, "Daddy, I wanna

supermarket, not a playground," Ludwik replied, his patience

don't love me anymore,

letting his son climb onto his back for a piggyback ride, much to the boy's

horse for his son. Surprised, her gaze softened when she noticed the boys had switched places. Sammy, pretending to be Danny,

happy family, now seeing a glimmer of that in her sons' interaction

particular box of condoms

quickly led her son out, determined to keep her composure

meal for her and her son, leaving Ludwik to add his own portion to the

their lives in his own awkward way, sharing a meal as if they were a normal

helping, he found the pot disappointingly empty. He silently chided himself for only throwing

should've added more,"

the kitchen, Ludwik noticed that Sammy had switched seats, and even his eating

smile playing on his lips. "Dad,

downplayed,

how Ludwik had practically licked his plate

Bryce is an exception; he always says mom's dishes are heavenly. If you ever consider remarrying, mom, Bryce would be a great choice, don't you think?" Ludwik felt like he'd been punched in the gut at the mention of another man

room, affecting