Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1314

She clenched her jaw, frustration tightening her voice. "You don't have to pretend you don't care, you know. Elaine was really tangled up with you, back in the day."

"Is it just a thing with women?" Ludwik shot back, his tone edged with impatience. "You want us to say something we don't mean, just so you can prove your own suspicions, and then get mad anyway and threaten to break up? Is that how this goes?"

Whitney fell silent. He'd boxed her in-what else could she say?

"Are you seriously calling me dramatic right now, Mr. Lippert?"

"No. Sorry. Wouldn't dare," he answered curtly.

But Whitney could practically hear the smooth-talking, the fake humility in his

words.

Her jaw tightened, like she'd just tried to punch a pillow-no resistance at all.

Ludwik, the sly old fox.

"You slap me with one hand, and toss me a sugar cube with the other. Ludwik, do you really think I'm that easy to brush off?"

Ludwik: ...

please explain to him why ex-wives

"Whitney, I really don't care about Elaine anymore. You know, I literally gave her a

"I get it-her name just feels like a splinter right now. That's why I have to be

Honestly, she didn't really call him for sweet nothings anyway. Their calls were more like sparring

let out a breath, her lips curling in a half smile. "So, what do

a beat. "For starters, when are you coming

only been in Chicago for two days. I want

hold her seems like she only wants her mom."

hit Whitney right in the gut. Her mother's instincts kicked in,

"Oh, really? I thought

still a baby. At this age, a mom's daily presence is key to her

since when did he know so much? He probably binge-read some parenting blogs

admit he wasn't wrong. Professionally speaking,

one. But she wasn't about to let him boss her around. "Once I

Ludwik continued, "Parker says

Nolan, and if all else fails old Mr Doonan