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Chapter_80
Whitney paused in the hallway, her heart sinking as she witnessed the exchange between Ludwik and Elaine. The coldness in his demeanor, the detachment he displayed toward her—she had never seen him so unyielding, so distant. The sight of Elaine, shivering and yet trying to offer comfort, struck a chord deep inside Whitney. The way Ludwik handed the jacket to Elaine with such casual care, yet ignored her—his pregnant partner, the woman he was supposed to cherish—felt like a betrayal in its purest form.
Her steps faltered as she clutched her stomach, her emotions tumbling like a storm inside her. She had been hoping for something, anything, to ease the ache of loneliness she had felt ever since Ludwik had arrived. But now, as she stood there, seeing him more concerned for Elaine than for her, it was clear: he didn’t care, at least not in the way she needed him to.
Elaine’s soft voice cut through the silence as she adjusted the jacket, her smile barely masking her discomfort. “Bro, you really shouldn’t be so hard on Whitney. I think… she’s really suffering. You don’t want to regret this, do you?”
Ludwik’s eyes hardened, but he said nothing. His focus was on Elaine, a flicker of guilt creeping into his expression, but it was quickly buried beneath his anger.
Whitney turned away, too hurt to watch any longer. Every step she took felt like a heavier burden than the last. She was left alone in the hallway, her body yearning for rest, her mind swirling with unanswered questions.
As she passed a nurse station, she saw a cup of water left unattended on a counter. She reached for it, her fingers trembling as she grasped it, the cold plastic cup offering little comfort in her hands. But the coldness was preferable to the icy distance between her and Ludwik.
Just then, a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. “Miss Lutz?” Whitney looked up, startled to see one of the nurses watching her with concern. “You really should be resting. Your condition—”
“I’m fine,” Whitney interrupted quietly, her voice betraying the exhaustion she was trying so hard to hide. “I just need a moment. I’ll be back.”
The nurse didn’t seem convinced but said nothing more as Whitney made her way toward a nearby bench, sinking into it with a soft sigh. The pain in her abdomen was dull but persistent, and the emotional toll of the evening was starting to show. The warmth from the cup of water wasn’t enough to chase away the cold creeping inside her heart.
Back in the room, Ludwik stood motionless, staring at the empty doorway through which Whitney had just passed. Elaine’s voice came again, softer this time, tinged with concern. “Bro, don’t you think you should go to her? She’s really hurting.”
Ludwik ran a hand through his hair, frustration and anger bubbling just beneath the surface. “She doesn’t want me there,” he muttered under his breath. “She has Simon. And now, I’m the bad guy. Again.”
Elaine shook her head, her expression softening. “It’s not that simple. Whitney’s been through a lot tonight—physically, emotionally. She needs someone who can be there for her. Not just… anger.”
Ludwik’s jaw clenched as he faced Elaine. His pride had been bruised, his heart torn between the woman he loved and the overwhelming sense of betrayal he felt. “She’s pregnant, Elaine. I’m trying to protect her. But it feels like no matter what I do, I’m wrong.”
Elaine stepped closer, her tone gentle but firm. “Sometimes, it’s not about right or wrong. It’s about understanding. She’s hurting too, Ludwik. And if you want to fix this, you have to show her that you’re there for her, not just for yourself.”
Ludwik’s gaze faltered, his emotions shifting as Elaine’s words sank in. She was right. He had been too focused on his own hurt, on his own sense of betrayal. But Whitney—she had been through so much, and he had failed her when she needed him most.
Without another word, he turned toward the door, his steps heavy with determination. He wouldn’t let her go—not like this. He would make things right.
