Love beyond the mask (Whitney)



Jared's eyes crinkled with a smile. Ludwik's gentle demeanor towards Florence reassured him, sweeping away any doubts he previously harbored. Rising to his feet alongside Mrs. Sheldon, he addressed Ludwik, "My dear, Mrs. Sheldon and I have some errands to run. Tonight, as you and Florence celebrate your engagement dinner, we'll excuse ourselves. Enjoy your meal and have a pleasant chat."

Leaning on his cane, Jared and Emma exited the Sheldon family's living room, leaving it noticeably quieter as the staff's presence diminished. Ludwik, unfazed, casually took his seat at the dinner table, beginning his meal with an air of detachment.

"Florence softly offered, "Ludwik, I made this dish myself. Please, have a taste."

"I don't eat chicken," he replied coldly, his demeanor changing instantly.

Florence realized then that his pleasant facade was merely for the sake of his grandfather, offering him a semblance of respect. Behind closed doors, his disdain was unmistakably clear.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Ryan, sitting awkwardly at the table, was taken aback by Ludwik's starkly different attitude towards Ms. Sheldon in private, struggling to hide his surprise.

The chilling atmosphere Ludwik exuded enveloped the table as he finally turned his attention to Ryan, "Is this Dr. Ryan?"

Noticing his undue focus on Ryan, Florence fidgeted nervously, absentmindedly nodding, "Dr. Ryan, Ludwik mentioned he's been feeling under the weather, would you mind checking on him?"

Ludwik set down his fork, his gaze locked on it, revealing he hadn't touched his food. Florence realized her plan to slip something into his meal had failed.

Her eyes darted around anxiously as Ludwik approached Ryan, feigning illness to avoid eating, "I'm unwell, Dr. Ryan. Could you examine me now?" Ryan glanced at Florence before agreeing, "Of course. It's our duty as doctors to aid those in need."

Ludwik led Ryan outside under the moonlit porch, leaving Florence to worry and pretend to tidy up the kitchen, which was conveniently close to the porch.

Ludwik, his figure casting a shadow under the porch light, spoke with a hint of distress, "Dr. Ryan, I've been struggling with asthma for years." "Asthma?" Ryan expressed surprise, pulling out his stethoscope and flashlight. "You seem very fit, not the typical asthma sufferer."

Ludwik chuckled, "Many people, even children, don't appear to have asthma, do they?"

Ryan nodded, understanding, "Symptoms don't always show on the face. It's during an episode that we truly see.'

Describing his condition as per Whitney's information, Ludwik looked pale under the light, "My attacks are rare but severe. Without my inhaler, I could go into shock."

Ryan remained professional, asking

to see his medication. Ludwik produced a children's asthma inhaler, leading to a brief discussion about its appropriateness and

potential gic imps

for

Ludwik's son, hinting at a deeper concern.

Reassured by Ryan's explanation that asthma isn't typically hereditary, Ludwik decided to leave, thanking Ryan for his advice.

However, Ryan offered Ludwik some

antibiotics for his sore throat, which Ludwik accepted, acknowledging he'd been neglecting a minor

infection due to his busy schedule.

UMS

Taking his leave, Ludwik collected his coat, his interaction with Florence limited to a brief, strained glance as he exited the Sheldon family home.

Florence emerged with a look of utter grievance on her face. "Ludwik, are you really leaving now?"

"I've done everything you asked of me."

Ludwik's voice dripped with sarcasm as he fixed his gaze on Florence, his eyes a tumult of suppressed rage.

Memories of his mother's battle with

leukemia, the spinal tap procedures she endured, and Sammy's mysterious disappearance fueled his desire to strangle the woman standing before him. novelbin

Her constant deceit disgusted him to no end.

But he had to rescue the two people that mattered most to him first.

Then, and only then, could he allow himself to act on his anger.

Clenching his fists, he strode away from the Sheldon family mansion.

"Ludwik, let me walk you out!" Florence insisted, following closely behind him.

Ludwik's car was parked midway up the hill, and he made his way down the road toward it.

But after only a few hundred yards, the strong, upright figure of Ludwik suddenly halted, overcome by an enveloping darkness.

He collapsed to the ground, his muscular body hitting the pavement with a thud, slipping into unconsciousness before he could react. "Dr. Ryan!" Florence narrowed her eyes, turning her head to call for Ryan.