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Chapter_294
Elaine’s heart skipped a beat as Ludwik’s icy tone greeted her. Despite her efforts to appear calm, the tension in the air was palpable. She adjusted her sunglasses and straightened her posture, a calculated smile curling on her lips.
“I’m just here to check on you, Ludwik,” she said sweetly, her voice dripping with faux concern. “You’ve been under so much stress lately. I thought you might need a little support. You know, with everything that’s been going on with Whitney and Jaxon…”
Ludwik’s eyes narrowed slightly, his guarded expression never wavering. His mind was still reeling from the conversation with Sammy, the fragile remnants of his past with Whitney swirling in his thoughts. He didn’t have the energy for Elaine’s manipulations right now, but he couldn’t outright dismiss her, not in public.
“Support?” he repeated, his voice flat. “Is that what you’re calling it now?”
Elaine’s smile tightened, but she pressed on, her tone soothing. “Of course. I know you’ve been dealing with so much—your family, your business, the media. It’s hard, Ludwik. I just want to help. We’ve always been there for each other, haven’t we?”
Ludwik didn’t respond immediately, his gaze momentarily flickering over to Sammy, who was holding onto his hand, his little face as serious as ever. Sammy’s wide eyes, searching for any hint of reassurance, made Ludwik’s chest tighten, and he could feel a gnawing discomfort settle within him.
“Don’t do this, Elaine,” he said in a low, cold voice, his words edged with warning. “You know what’s at stake here. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the game you’ve been playing.”
Elaine faltered for just a second, the slightest crack in her composed facade, before she quickly regained her balance. She was determined not to show weakness in front of him.
“I’m not playing any games, Ludwik,” she replied, her tone still sweet but tinged with something darker. “I’m just here for you. We both know how much you’ve been struggling with everything. Maybe it’s time you let someone else take some of the weight off your shoulders.”
Ludwik’s eyes hardened as his thoughts turned again to the chaotic mess his life had become. Whitney’s sudden reappearance, the growing tension with Elaine, the tangled emotions he could never seem to shake—everything was spiraling. He didn’t need her trying to manipulate him into something he wasn’t ready for.
“You’re right about one thing,” Ludwik said, his voice sharp now, cutting through the tension. “I’ve been struggling. But the last thing I need right now is more of your interference, Elaine. You’ve done enough.”
Elaine’s eyes flickered, her grip on the situation slipping just a fraction. She quickly masked her frustration with another saccharine smile, but her words were clipped. “I’m only trying to help, Ludwik. I’ve always been on your side.”
Ludwik didn’t trust her words, not anymore. The years of manipulation and deceit had taught him that Elaine’s idea of “help” was nothing more than a way to tighten her hold on him.
His gaze flickered once more to Sammy, who was quietly watching the exchange, his innocent face a stark contrast to the underlying tension between the adults. Ludwik’s thoughts shifted—his son, the one person who had always managed to soften his hardened heart, even when everything around him seemed so broken.
“Let’s go, Danny,” Ludwik said abruptly, cutting off any further interaction. He didn’t have the strength to deal with Elaine’s games today. Sammy’s small hand slipped into his, and they started walking toward the entrance of the kindergarten.
Elaine stood still for a moment, watching them go, her eyes narrowing. She had never been one to accept defeat easily, and Ludwik’s rejection stung more than she cared to admit. But she wasn’t about to give up. Not now.
As she watched the father and son disappear into the school, her mind raced with a plan, one that would ensure Ludwik’s loyalty to her cause, no matter the cost.
