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Chapter_270
Whitney’s mind raced as she tried to process everything. Her son, ‘Danny,’ had been acting strangely ever since they arrived at Tiana’s. The sudden shift in his demeanor, so unlike the sweet, innocent child she had known, was unsettling. He was distant, aloof—nothing like the boy she remembered. His haughty tone, the way he dismissed Cherry’s attempts to engage, made her question what was happening. Was this truly her son? Was something changing in him, or was it something else entirely?
Tiana, always the reliable friend, was still recovering from the shock of seeing Ludwik’s son in the flesh. The resemblance was undeniable. The way ‘Danny’ carried himself, the way he spoke—it was like watching Ludwik all over again. It had taken her a moment to gather herself after the initial surprise, but now she was doing her best to mask the confusion. She shot Whitney a glance, concern written on her face. “Is he really Ludwik’s?” she asked quietly, pulling her aside.
Whitney, a little worn out from the emotional strain of the day, sighed. “Yes. There’s no one else it could be. I’ve not been with anyone else in these years. But, please, don’t say anything to anyone. I made sure Valerie isn’t around; I didn’t want to cause any more trouble. I just need you to keep an eye on him until tonight.”
Tiana nodded slowly, processing the weight of what Whitney had just told her. It was a lot to absorb. She had heard rumors about Whitney’s past—how she had supposedly lost a child, only for Ludwik to take the boy and raise him—but to see him standing there, right in front of her, was something else entirely. Tiana knew that Whitney had always been a woman of secrets, but seeing the little boy so much like Ludwik made her wonder if Whitney even knew the full truth of what had happened.
“I won’t say a word, Whitney. I promise,” Tiana said, her voice soft but firm. She crossed her heart with one hand as if to solidify the vow. “I won’t tell Valerie either.”
Whitney breathed a small sigh of relief, thankful that Tiana was on her side. The fewer people who knew about Sammy’s true identity, the better. Tiana, who had once been a skilled hacker and a trusted partner with the police, had seen her share of danger and intrigue. She wasn’t easily shaken, but even she couldn’t hide her surprise at the revelation.
As they stood there in the quiet of Tiana’s home, Whitney couldn’t help but glance back at her son. His behavior was already puzzling her, and she knew she couldn’t let it slide. “Tiana,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper, “there’s something off about him lately. He’s been… different. I’m not sure if it’s just a phase or if something’s wrong. He’s been showing signs of a personality disorder—like he’s switching between personalities. It’s rare, but it’s happened a few times before. I’m keeping an eye on it, but if it doesn’t improve, I’ll consult with a psychologist in Emperor City.”
Tiana’s eyes widened. “That sounds serious. Have you considered getting him professional help right away? You shouldn’t wait too long.”
“I know,” Whitney replied with a nod. “But I have to focus on what’s happening now. One step at a time.”
Just as she was about to leave, the sound of footsteps reached her ears. She turned around to see her son, now standing by the door with his arms crossed. He was looking at her with a mixture of curiosity and defiance.
“Mommy?” he said, his voice colder than she was used to.
“Yes, sweetie?” Whitney replied, her heart heavy with the uncertainty she felt.
“Are you leaving?” Sammy asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. It was almost as though he was studying her.
Whitney hesitated for a moment, a pang of guilt settling in her chest. She had just left the villa in a rush earlier that day. “Yes, I’ll be gone for a little while. Don’t worry, Aunt Tiana will look after you.”
Sammy didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he walked past her, his small feet padding softly against the floor. He barely spared her a glance as he made his way toward the living room, acting like the world was his to command.
Tiana watched him, still processing everything. She turned to Whitney, her expression a mixture of concern and disbelief. “Whitney, he’s nothing like you described. He’s… different now. And this attitude— it’s just like Ludwik’s. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m starting to think this is more than just a phase.”
Whitney nodded slowly. “I know. I’ve noticed it too. I just don’t know how to handle it yet. But I have to keep going, for both of us.”
As the conversation continued, the weight of the moment seemed to settle over them. Whitney didn’t have time to dwell on her son’s strange behavior. There was too much at stake.
Meanwhile, back at the villa, Elaine was fuming. Sammy’s defiance, his sudden boldness, and the way he had charmed Ludwik into allowing him to go out—it was all more than she could handle. She knew her influence over Ludwik was slipping, and it sent a wave of panic through her.
The moment she entered the house, Lyra was there, waiting with a report. “Miss, Master Sammy’s been acting out. He skipped preschool, talked back to Lyra, and even made demands of the bodyguards. We’ve got to be careful. He’s getting closer to the Boss.”
Elaine’s eyes narrowed as she listened to Lyra’s report. The little boy was getting too bold, and she knew that if Ludwik started listening to him instead of her, she would lose everything.
“Let him have his fun,” Elaine muttered, her voice cold. “He’s just a kid, and he doesn’t know what he’s dealing with. If he wants to play games, I’ll play along. I’ve got plenty of lessons to teach him.”
Her tone was dripping with malice, but deep down, she knew she had to tread carefully. Sammy wasn’t just a child to be ignored; he was a pawn in the ongoing battle for Ludwik’s attention and affection. And if Elaine couldn’t control him, she would make sure to teach him a lesson he would never forget.
As Elaine climbed the stairs, ready for a nap before Ludwik returned, her phone buzzed with a text message. She quickly glanced at it and deleted it, but the words lingered in her mind: “Elaine, it’s been years, and I’m still thinking of you.”
The message was from a past lover—a man she had once loved and lost. The emotions stirred by the text were unexpected, flooding her mind with memories of better times. But Elaine quickly shoved the feelings aside. She couldn’t afford distractions—not now.
With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, her mind already focusing on her next move. Tonight, she would regain control. Ludwik would be hers again, and nothing, especially not a little boy, would stand in her way.
As Whitney made her way back to Tiana’s home with ‘Sammy’ in tow, Tiana’s reaction was nothing short of astonishment. Cherry, wide-eyed and clutching her teddy bear, gazed at the little boy in awe. “Hi, Mister… you’re so pretty…” she murmured, a childish innocence in her voice.
Sammy, always quick to react, rolled his eyes and handed her a tissue. “Don’t look at me like that,” he said, his voice tinged with annoyance. “Here, wipe your drool.”
Tiana’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe the transformation. The boy looked exactly like Ludwik, not just in appearance but in attitude. She pulled Whitney aside, her mind racing with questions. “Whitney, this boy—he’s Ludwik’s, isn’t he?”
Whitney hesitated before nodding, confirming what Tiana already suspected. “Yes. He’s Ludwik’s. But please, don’t tell anyone. The fewer people who know, the better.”
Tiana, still stunned, agreed. She would keep the secret, but she couldn’t help but wonder how much Whitney truly knew about her son’s origins.
