Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 263

The room looked like a hurricane had torn through it. Elaine lay sprawled on the floor, struggling weakly to her feet, clutching her bleeding forehead. She shuffled over to Ludwik, tears streaming down her face, "Ludwik, it's just a small accident. Don't be mad at Danny; the kid's got a temper, sure, but his heart's in the right place. A little ointment and my head will be fine."

"Daniel!" Ludwik cast a furious glance at Sammy, who sat idly by. He recalled how the boy had been anything but friendly to Elaine lately. Sammy was a loner, cool and distant, keeping his thoughts bottled up inside. Ludwik's head ached with anger. "You, stand up and explain yourself! Why did you hit your mother? Just because she pinched you downstairs, you think retaliation is the answer?"

Sammy watched his stepfather with a sneer in his heart. So, this was how his little brother was usually misunderstood by this jerk? No wonder a guy who could ditch a woman like that was blind as a bat. Sammy glanced at Elaine, who was putting on an Oscar-worthy performance of distress. But now she was up against him, and he wasn't so easy to deceive.

Sammy stood up, innocence personified, and swayed slightly, "Dad, I didn’t hit Mom. I love her. How could I ever hurt her?"

Elaine's mouth twitched—those were her lines. When did the little devil learn to mimic her so perfectly? She couldn't fathom it. Hadn't he just been to the auction? How had he changed so much?

Ludwik, seeing that at least his son's demeanor was decent, softened slightly and pointed to the gruesome cut on Elaine's forehead, "Danny, the evidence is clear. Why are you lying? You can't be disrespectful like this. When you grow up, you're going to get into real trouble. Tonight, you're grounded."

"What if I told you that Mom hit herself? Would you believe me?" Sammy approached, pulling on his father's hand, batting his big eyes.

Ludwik paused, and Elaine's face changed rapidly, but Ludwik's anger rose again, "Daniel, you need to own up to your mistakes, not shift the blame. You're a man, remember what your father taught you. Have you forgotten?"

"It really was her!" Sammy protested, looking pitiful.

"Danny, even if you falsely accuse your mother, she won't blame you. After all, you're still young. I gave birth to you, raised you; how could I hold a grudge?" Elaine knelt down, gently touching the boy's head, her eyes pleading with Ludwik.

The man felt a twinge of guilt, taking her hand, "Elaine, I know you've been through a lot in this family. I'll deal with this youngster."

Just then, a recording played out of nowhere: "Ah, what are you doing, you little brat..."

"Mom, why are you holding my head down? I can't breathe. Please don't hit me..."

"Why you little... you dare to talk back..."

The child's voice begged pitifully. The woman's voice was so cold and unfamiliar to Ludwik. His expression darkened as he slowly turned to Elaine. Elaine was stunned, her eyes fixed on Sammy. When had the little scoundrel recorded this?

Sammy handed the phone to Ludwik, looking up defiantly, his eyes full of hurt, "I just brought my phone in to play games. I didn't mean to record anything. Please don't be mad at me, Mom. I know I was wrong, but please don’t hit me again. I’m just a kid."

Elaine was too angry to speak. She stared at the little troublemaker, sensing that somehow, he had changed.

Ludwik's voice came from above, cold and stern, "Elaine, care to explain why you hit him?" Elaine looked up to meet his piercing gaze mixed with disappointment. Panicking, she stammered, "It wasn't on purpose. Danny was being difficult, not cooperating with his bath. I've had such a tough evening..."