Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Blood stained his features, making him appear devilishly enchanting as if the very essence of the ceremony were being tainted red.

Bryce's face was a mask of disbelief. How had Ludwik survived out there?

"Who is that guy?" someone among the guests burst out with curiosity.

"Ludwik..." Keegan muttered darkly from his wheelchair.

A wave of shock and awe swept through the crowd.

That was Ludwik? The acclaimed golden bachelor of Emperor City, the most revered man in Harmonia?

"Oh my God, that's Ludwik! I saw his photo when he returned to the Lippert family, looked like a movie star. But in person? He's even more handsome!"

"I thought Mr. Lutz, the groom, was quite the catch, but next to Ludwik, he's hardly in the running. There really is such a thing as the most eligible bachelor..."

"Would you keep quiet! The groom is right here," a lady hissed, pulling her daughter to silence.

"Did someone say Ludwik was the bride's ex-husband?"

The murmur of gossip reached Bryce, darkening his expression further.

Who could stand being compared on his own wedding day?

Bryce strode over to Whitney, pulling her close, shielding her.

Ludwik's gaze remained undeterred, fixed on Whitney, her radiant beauty accentuated by her stunning wedding dress, her skin fairer than snow, lips curved in a smile.

She was his woman.

Yet here she was, calmly holding Bryce's hand, hiding behind him as if he were some kind of monster.

A sharp pang of pain seared through Ludwik, his eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty chill.

"Whitney."

He called out to her, reaching out a hand while the other slowly moved to his side, his voice firm, "Come with me."

It was a blatant challenge, stepping on Bryce's dignity.

Bryce's face turned an ashen hue, but he was quicker, drawing a gun and aiming it at Ludwik's head.

His smile remained, though strained, "Security, turn off the cameras."

The sight of the gun sent a wave of panic through the guests.

Hunter's expression changed slightly, "Bryce! What are you doing?"

Bryce gritted his teeth, "What am I doing? It's clear for all to see. Someone's trying to steal my bride. I'm merely defending what's mine.

Ludwik, if you're here to offer your blessings, you're welcome.

But if you're here to ruin my wedding in Banyan City, then you're too late. Whitney is my lawful wife now!

Harass her, and you'll have me to deal with!"

Ludwik's gaze on Whitney didn't waver, her face showed disgust and coldness, hiding behind Bryce, silent.

She didn't even want to look at him.

A dark, hopeless gleam flashed in Ludwik's eyes, a cold laugh escaped him, "Wife?"noveldrama

His voice was hoarse, laced with bitter laughter.

In a recently trending video, Bryce had called her "my wife," and she had blushed shyly.

Now, she seemed content.

Had she truly accepted Bryce in her heart?

No, once, she was his wife.

If only he hadn't trusted Elaine Bartels, leading to their divorce. He remembered the divorce papers he hadn't wanted to sign.

If only time machines existed, he'd go back three years and start over.

He wouldn't make the same mistakes, allowing Elaine to push his laboring wife off a cliff...

The pain was unbearable, almost tearing his gaze apart.

Ludwik's smile twisted, "A wedding, and you call her your wife? Have you signed the papers?"

"Yes!" Bryce retorted without flinching, pointing towards the large screen behind him, "Unlike you, Ludwik, I wouldn't shamelessly impregnate her sister while stringing Whitney along.

I love Whitney. We signed the papers this morning and today, she gets her grand wedding.

Can you say the same?

You, a scoundrel, could never understand the commitment of 'till death do us part'!"

The last glimmer of hope in Ludwik's eyes extinguished.

He saw their marriage certificate on the big screen, the name 'Whitney' like a blade to his heart.

His breath tasted bitter; his towering frame nearly faltered.

She had actually signed the papers with Bryce.

He had thought she wouldn't rush into marriage, that she hadn't fully accepted Bryce.

How foolish he had been.

In just a month, she had completely moved on, even to the extent of aborting their child.

Tears brimmed in Ludwik's eyes, his expression chilling.

"Ludwik, just go!" Whitney saw his face pale as if he were a lost boy, so utterly helpless.

She pinched her fingers, frowning unwillingly, "This is pointless.

Any further pursuit just shows your shamelessness.

I've made it clear, we're done. Let's just move on."

"Move on? Done?" Ludwik laughed bitterly, "When? A month ago in the wine cellar when you got pregnant?

Or half a month ago when you aborted our child behind my back?"

Turning to the crowd, his gaze was merciless, his mockery sharp, "This woman bore two sons for me and was pregnant with a third.

Half a month ago, she was still pregnant. Now, she's marrying another.

Mr. Lutz, aren't you just picking up leftovers?

Your family is renowned in Banyan City. Aren't you ashamed?"

His words hung heavy in the air, the guests looking at Whitney with scorn and disbelief.

"What, she was pregnant just half a month ago?"

"Mr. Lutz really isn't picky, is he?"

The words hit Hunter and Claire like

a slap in the face, leaving them flushed with anger yet powerless to

retaliate. After all, this was the

woman Bryce had insisted on

marrying, no matter what.

Whitney's face turned deathly pale, a fiery rage igniting in her chest. Her hatred for Ludwik peaked. "There's no need to humiliate me and Bryce in public, Ludwik!"

"Enough, Ludwik."

"I wasn't with Bryce when I was with you. After I decided to be with Bryce, I cut ties with you completely. The miscarriage was proof enough."

Ludwik felt as if her merciless words had shattered his heart.

She admitted it again, she had intentionally lost his child!

"Ludwik, you can't drive a wedge between us," Bryce said, gripping Whitney's cold fingers tightly, his eyes dark with emotion. "I know everything there was between you and Whitney, she didn't hide, anything from me. And I don't care!

OV

Ludwik was crushed once more.