Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 252

At that moment, Valerie passed the baby bottle to Whitney with a meaningful glance.

“It can’t be his,” Tiana said, her tone unimpressed but noticeably colder.

Valerie sighed inwardly and whispered to Whitney, “When Cherry was a bit over a year old, her features started to become more defined, and I thought she looked familiar. I mentioned it once, and Tiana blew up.‘

“Why would she do that?”

There was a frosty edge to Tiana’s gaze as she pursed her pretty lips.

Valerie explained, “I didn’t bring up Parker earlier, but in truth, he was the one who wanted to help Tiana the most back then. But she rejected him outright and gave him a tongue–lashing. You know Parker–he’s like the prince of the underworld, very proud. After that, he never contacted her again.”

“Why the anger?” In Whitney’s memory, Parker was the most level–headed and fair of the brothers.

“We were disappointed in Parker. He revealed in front of Ludwik that Tiana had been to TriMed Hospital three years ago to check on Elaine, which made Ludwik believe that you guys had falsely accused Elaine of faking a kidney donation. Plus, the goons that kidnapped you and Tiana that night were sent by Parker. That’s why she hates him.”

Whitney furrowed her brow, feeling that Tiana might have misunderstood Parker.

They used to joke that something was brewing between Parker and Tiana.

She never imagined that in the three years she was gone, everything would have changed so dramatically.

“But this child…” Whitney looked at Cherry, who did indeed have eyes reminiscent of Parker’s, and said, “Tiana, maybe you don’t want to think about it, but that night three years ago, was there any encounter between you and Parker?”

Tiana seemed lost in thought, her mind racing through the chaotic memories of a night overshadowed by multiple men’s overpowering presence and pain.

She shook her head vehemently, tears welling up in her eyes. “I vaguely remember escaping a room in the club. I have no memory of what happened after, and when I woke up the next day, I was back in the hands of those thugs… I really don’t remember. I don’t know who it was! But I know it could be anyone but Parker!”

Valerie interjected. “Apparently, Parker had a close call that night, too, saved by a woman. He’s since found the woman who rescued him, and it turns out to be Tiana’s cousin, Endora Melford. Parker’s even broken off an engagement to be with her, spoiling Endora.”

Whitney was shocked; she knew all too well that Tiana and Endora were arch–enemies!

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Cato Melford, who had always schemed against Tiana’s father, Fabian Melford.

in good standing, they had suffered endless

Parker once, and his involvement with Endora was

was hate upon hate, an extra

Cherry and saying, “Maybe it’s just a striking coincidence. No matter who her father is, she’s a

her daughter mentioned, her heart swelled with love, but Cherry’s little face only added to

one in her arms, “Maybe soon you’ll have a brother to play with.”

of Sammy’s existence these past three

her best friend; she feared that if word got out, her son could be taken

it, so it was

I promise. The Melford family business will come back, and I

left Tiana a card with a million dollars in

that had not been there

stepped out the door, blinking away her tears, Valerie followed, both worried and happy. “Tiana’s crying in there. You’ve always been her rock, and now that you’re back, it’s a huge encouragement for her. But while you ask about our lives, we know nothing about what you’ve endured these

it, of course.”

an acclaimed acupuncturist and had not given up on her jewelry design, earning a tidy sum. But what she couldn’t bring herself to admit was that Sammy occasionally supplemented their income with his

brought a smile to her face, but then she thought of Cherry and felt a twinge of guilt. “I

of Tiana’s burdens…” Valerie said, “Endora’s vendetta is another reason

woman once told Tiana that Cherry could be the

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was at the club that night three years ago, a notorious playboy, which terrified Tiana. That’s why she moved

If the Doonan family decides to take the child, it would

why Tiana did not want to disclose

asked, “What about Parker? Has

to Endora, Tiana has cut off all communication with him. I’m curious about his reaction to Cherry, too. But now that the suspicion falls on Barclay, the resemblance could be explained. No doubt Endora has been cozying up to Elaine, acting as her

came back to Elaine, still not letting go of Tiana!

resolve crystallizing with each

as heavy as the city sky after a thunderstorm. She didn’t want Sammy to pick up on her gloomy mood, so she quickly shot off a text to Yael. Just

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