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: ...

explain to him why ex-wives were so

don't care about Elaine anymore. You know,

paused, voice softer. "I get it-her name just feels like a splinter right now. That's why I have to be honest. Why waste our

him for sweet nothings anyway. Their calls were more

curling in a half smile.

starters, when are you

days. I want to spend

She hardly lets anyone from the Lippert family hold her seems like she only wants her mom." Ludwik dropped the guilt trip like

the gut. Her mother's instincts kicked in,

fall for Ludwik's tricks. "Oh, really? I thought Danny and

this age, a mom's daily presence is key

He probably binge-read some parenting blogs

but had to admit he wasn't wrong. Professionally speaking,

wasn't about to let him boss her around.

Ludwik continued, "Parker says

all else