Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 766

She had given birth to two sons, yet she retained the air of a young woman. Only her deep, hazel eyes held the weight of her stories, like a fine red wine becoming richer and more tantalizing with time. "Ludwik, why are you staring at Mommy like that? You're gonna burn holes in her with that gaze."

Out of the blue, Danny's complaint cut through the air. He couldn't for the life of him understand what was so fascinating about Mommy's swimsuit - to him, it was downright ugly.

Sammy couldn't help but slap the back of the clueless troublemaker's head.

Come on, Ludwik wasn't even looking at the swimsuit, for crying out loud.

"Cough, cough." The innocent comment made Whitney's cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Ludwik, too, showed a hint of discomfort. Catching the blush on his lady's cheeks, he shot her a look and eased the awkwardness with a slight curve of his lips, "You two, get into the pool and soak a bit. Don't catch a cold standing around." "Danny, you can't swim, let Mommy hold you!"

Whitney quickly took her son into the water.

Sammy followed suit, sticking close to Mommy.

Ludwik, trying to win his son's favor, said, "Sammy, Mom can't handle both of you. Come with me to the deep end, and I'll teach you the butterfly stroke."

"I already know how to do that," Sammy replied indifferently. "Mom taught me ages ago. It's been three years, and you still haven't managed to teach Danny how to swim."

"..." Ludwik was momentarily ashamed.

He coughed slightly, explaining, "I didn't teach Danny before because he was frail, and the doctor said it wasn't suitable."

Seeing his patient explanation, Sammy felt a mix of emotions. His dad was undoubtedly flawed.

But considering how Danny often spoke of his father's heroic deeds with admiration, it was clear he had put in the effort in raising Danny.

and patient demeanor

to himself that he had a kind heart, Sammy decided to spare his dad's feelings, "Well, I don't know the breaststroke. Maybe you could teach

who knew the complex

catching on to Sammy's attempt to

Lately, Sammy had been less resistant, a

offered his hand, "Come, let

splash from the other side

If you jump on me like that, I'll

and Whitney both tumbling

but the

He swiftly swam over.

"Mommy, get Danny

from the water while pulling Danny up as well. Whitney, drenched and flustered, explained, "This little rascal got

spat out a mouthful of water, clinging to his

"Mommy is light. You

playful. The water's supposed to hold us up, right? Besides, I've seen you climb

face turned incredulous, while Ludwik quickly glanced at her flushed cheeks and coughed to

ask? Was his mind

I saw from the hotel room door

she glared at Ludwik before quickly diverting her sons, "You nearly drowned, Danny. Stop talking so much and let Sammy take you to the kids' area to play with water guns." Sammy, catching on that this might be a topic not suitable for kids, quickly led Danny to the adjacent children's

to notice his muscular arm firmly around her waist, adjusting her twisted swimsuit.

Ludwik's gaze lingered.

are you looking at?" Whitney caught his intense stare, her cheeks flaming even more, hands instinctively moving to cover herself, only to

on her reddened earlobe, "I

have bought you a