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Chapter_56
The tension between Whitney and Ludwik was palpable, their words sharp as they clashed, each one trying to assert control over the situation in their own way. Ludwik’s jealousy simmered beneath the surface, evident in his biting tone as he observed her interactions with Cooper.
“Is it the same, though?” Ludwik scoffed, his voice thick with irritation. “I’m working. What are you doing? Gallivanting in the bar, all smiles with every Tom, Dick, and Harry.”
Whitney felt the heat of his gaze, but she wasn’t about to let him control her. She stood tall, defiant, though her voice betrayed a hint of frustration as she fired back, “I came to the bar but I didn’t drink. Why does it bother you so much? You don’t get to tell me how to live my life. We agreed to a marriage of convenience.”
Ludwik’s lips tightened, his anger rising as her words hit him harder than he expected. He had never liked being challenged, least of all by her. It wasn’t just the situation; it was the underlying feeling of her defiance that gnawed at him.
“Convenience, huh?” he muttered under his breath, taking a step closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers. “You think you can just do whatever you want without any consequences?”
Whitney’s heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to back down. She’d had enough of his arrogance, his possessiveness.
“We both made choices, Ludwik,” she said, her voice steady. “And I don’t answer to you. If you’re bothered by it, maybe you should think about why you’re really angry. It’s not about the bar, is it?”
His eyes flashed dangerously. There was a moment of silence between them, heavy with unspoken words. Tension crackled in the air as both of them stood their ground, neither willing to compromise.
Felix, standing awkwardly in the corner, could sense the brewing storm and wisely kept his mouth shut, his eyes flicking between the two of them. He’d seen Ludwik angry before, but this—this was different.
“You’re really going to go on about this now?” Whitney continued, her voice now tinged with a mix of frustration and defiance. “Maybe it’s not about the bar, but you don’t get to control me. Not anymore.”
Ludwik’s jaw clenched, but before he could respond, Whitney turned away, frustrated with the direction the conversation had taken. The weight of his jealousy, the control he exerted—she was done with it.
As she moved to help Tiana, Ludwik’s gaze softened, just for a moment, watching her. He knew he wasn’t going to win this battle, but the thought of losing control over her, of her slipping away, gnawed at him more than he was willing to admit.
His hand, previously hanging loosely by his side, slowly reached out, but he paused before making contact. The words he wanted to say caught in his throat, unsure of whether he was trying to push her away or pull her closer. Instead, he watched as she finished tending to Tiana, his thoughts a whirlwind of conflict and unresolved feelings.
The silence between them stretched long, and the only sound was the soft breathing of Tiana, passed out on the bed.
“I’ll take her home,” Ludwik muttered finally, breaking the silence, his voice softer than before, but still heavy with unsaid emotions.
Whitney glanced at him, surprised by the shift in his tone. But she didn’t say anything. She wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of an easy reconciliation.
“I’ll manage,” she said coldly, not meeting his gaze as she moved toward the door.
Ludwik watched her, his frustration lingering, but something else—something far deeper—was beginning to stir within him. He hadn’t expected this. He hadn’t expected her to fight back. And yet, here they were, caught in a dance neither of them wanted, neither of them fully understood.
But one thing was clear: neither of them was willing to let go. Not yet.
