Love beyond the mask (Whitney)

Chapter 243

Whitney was only worried about one thing – Sammy. She bent down, kissing her son with the utmost

care, hoping not to reveal the secret that she was about to skip town. Her heart ached as she stood up,

hastily packing her clothes.

“Sammy’s as sharp as a tack, too clever by half. I can’t take him back with me; he’ll be in your care for

now, Yael.”

“You’re afraid… that man will find out and snatch him away, aren’t you?”

Whitney remained silent; that was indeed her greatest fear.

Yael sighed. Sammy was a chip off the old block, smart as his biological father.

To Whitney, he was as sweet as apple pie, but turn your back, and he was sly as a fox, a real handful.

“I can’t promise I’ll be able to handle the little terror, but if anything comes up, I’ll give you a buzz.”

“Just keep an eye on his asthma. It generally doesn’t flare up, but be cautious all the same.”

“Yeah, your boyfriend booked your flight.”

Whitney’s mouth twitched in annoyance, correcting her once more, “Don’t call him that.”

“Sooner or later, it’ll be true. You need someone to rely on.” Yael did not know what Whitney used to be

like, but these past three years, she’d become too cold and heartless.

Whitney, grabbed her suitcase, gave a casual wave, and thought to herself, “Why would I need anyone

to rely on? I won’t drag any good people down with me again.”

Being heartless was her best weapon. Let the past drift away; let the villains seek their happiness?

Sorry, but no. She was back!

Two days later, at the airport, Whitney stepped out in high heels.

The woman, hidden behind sunglasses, with her flawless skin and stunning figure, still caught the gaze

of countless men.

A mature and graceful figure immediately approached her. “Whitney!”

Bryce’s eyes held a concealed wonder; she was even more enchanting than she had been three years

ago, her figure as youthful as a maiden’s.

His gaze lingered on her legs beneath her trench coat, and a twinge of pain crossed his face.

“Are your legs okay? Aren’t you wearing too little?” he asked, a note of longing in his voice.

Whitney embraced him casually, nonchalantly replying, “It’s nothing.”

“Let’s get in the car.”

15:46

She smoothed her skirt and sat down quietly, an air of detached indifference surrounding her.

Only Bryce could see through the glossy surface to the weariness hidden beneath.

He changed the subject. “Whitney, I’ve looked into the matter you asked about. Natalie is still alive.”

Whitney pressed her lips. Natalie had been in a vegetative state for three years. She had told Taryn

that after three years, she would change the medication. That was one of the reasons for her return.

“Also, I’m on the lookout for that child psychologist from Emperor City you wanted to find for Sammy.

His condition isn’t serious, is it?”

Whitney gave a wry smile. It was not exactly serious, but Sammy had some issues with his personality

– dissociative identity disorder. When it struck, his personality would change completely.

Doctors abroad suggested it might be related to genetics and a lack of fatherly love. Warm–hearted

normally, cold and detached when the disorder hit. His personality was unstable.

The little guy never asked about his father, and she lied, telling him the man was dead long ago. Deep

down, though, she knew Sammy held onto some wild fantasies; he was always full of ideas.

She sighed softly. “It’s fine, Bryce. There’s no rush on this.”

“So, what brings you back this time?”

“Orion roped me into a challenging case. He said it could be the breakthrough I needed to save my

uncle. I’m going to test the waters first. You know I can’t refuse him.”

Bryce, of course, knew why she could not refuse Orion.

But at the mention of Orion, he glanced at the rear–view mirror, his brows furrowing as he said,

I

“Orion’s a tricky one,ney. I know you have a lot on your plate, but I don’t want you getting

entangled with him. If it’s revenge you’re after, you can count on me. I’ll help you.”

Whitney met his gaze and said nothing, only reaching down to pull out a box of pills. “These will keep

your father Hunter’s heart condition stable. Keep giving them to him.”

Bryce stiffened slightly. She was reminding him that she still felt guilty for their engagement party three

years ago.

“Whitney… my father’s heart attack was an accident, and we owe it to your medicine that he’s still

stable.”

“It’s the least I can do.” Whitney leaned back into her seat.

Bryce wanted to say more, but the car radio suddenly switched to breaking news. “Skyfaith Electronic

Tech’s Mr. Lippert has spent a whopping 800 million dollars on a villa for his

fiancée, Elaine Bartels. It’s taken three years to complete, and Mr. Lippert’s affection for Elaine is the

talk of Banyan City. It seems their big day is just around the corner…”

Bryce quickly changed the station, then hesitated before saying, “It’s true. They’ve set a date for the

wedding. It’s said to be even grander than the engagement party.”

“Is that so? Good for them.” Whitney’s voice was calm, her body showing no sign of agitation.

Her heart had died the night she threw herself into the sea, filled now only with hatred. Perhaps that

was not such a bad shell to inhabit.

She smirked. “Quite surprising, dragging it on until now.”

Bryce quickly added, “They’ve been living together anyway, and rumor has it they’ve got a kid.

Someone spotted them going to register the birth. Ludwik’s been off the rails these last few years; no

one’s seen the child nor dared to ask. Who knows if it’s true.”

Whitney gazed out the window, her gaze momentarily faltering.

All the effort to keep Sammy away, and then they had another? Laughable.

The hatred simmered, lurking in the depths.

“Bryce, I’m a bit tired. Wake me when we get to the apartment,” she said, closing her eyes lazily. Bryce

could not help but notice the abrupt end to the conversation. She seemed not to care, as if she were

above it all.

Was she really?

She had changed a lot. Her beautiful, hopeful eyes had once been cute and soft; now, they were

bewitching and detached as if she were heartless.

Was this change for better or worse?

Bryce pursed his lips, certain of one thing: her cold yet alluring demeanor only deepened his

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The apartment was the same one Whitney had bought three years ago, though Bryce had made some

changes.

The nursery, with its crib, was now adorned with a Transformers bed, stacks of Lego sets, and

countless other toys.

Bryce chuckled. “I thought you might bring Sammy back, so I spruced up the place overnight, thinking

he’d love it.”

Whitney was touched by the gesture.

Bryce had truly given so much for her, heart and soul.

Her emotions stirred, and she smiled genuinely. “Sammy loves his Uncle Bryce.”

“How could he not? I’m like a big kid; no child can resist me. Besides, I’ve always seen him as my own

son!”

Whitney’s eyes tightened, a touch of emotion tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I wish he had a

father like you…”

“Whitney.” The man walked over and took her hand, his thin lips moving slightly. “I blame myself for not

protecting you three years ago, which led to Sammy being born premature!

But my feelings for you haven’t changed. In three years, he’s become a force to be reckoned with, his

power sweeping across Empire City, but I haven’t been idle. Whatever you want to do, I’m with you all

the way this time. I’ve been right here waiting for you.”

Whitney was silent. She knew she was fortunate to have such a devoted man. It would be a lie to say

she was not moved.

Yet, she felt a little dazed and self–deprecating. “Bryce, I can’t promise you anything. In my pursuit of

what I want, I’m not even sure what I might become.”

“I’m sure enough for both of us. I can see into your heart, Whitney. It’s my own wishful thinking, but I’m

willing to wait for years if I have to.”

Whitney was touched deep down but said nothing more, silently leaning on her hand as she looked out

the window. “The case regarding my uncle in prison…”

“Yeah, I’ll fax the details to you when I get back, and I’ve found the lawyer you were looking for. But

visiting a high–security inmate isn’t that easy.”

“I’ve come back, so there’s no rush. Whoever wants my uncle dead, I’ll find them! By the way, is the

auction of Skye Gem the day after tomorrow evening?”

“Yes, get yourself ready. That will be your first public appearance in Banyan City in a long time.” Bryce

patted her delicate shoulder with a reassuring gesture.

She gently touched the Skye Gem Ltd. folder on the table, her fingertips gleaming coldly as she

clenched her hand slowly.

“Tomorrow, I’ll start by taking a position at the hospital. After my rounds, I might need to see Tiana. Can

you give me her contact?”

The mention of Tiana made Whitney’s heart clench.