Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 822

Parker's glasses caught a gleam as he eyed the woman before him.

She was petite, and given his height, it was easy for him to look down on her soft, curly black hair that framed her cute face.

She was as adorable as... Cherry.

He pursed his lips, saying, "Cherry called me today, sobbing her heart out, thought I was gone for good. So, I figured I'd check in on her."

He was clearly seeking her opinion.

"Uh?" Tiana blinked, internally cursing.

How did Cherry end up contacting Parker? She had just visited her last night and hadn't brought up Parker at all.

It must have been Danny or Sammy passing the message along.

Her daughter was quite fond of Parker, clever too. But the little tyke had been down in the dumps ever since Parker's disappearance. She couldn't really say no, "Then... let's go see her together." "Alright, I'll drive. Just wait here for me," Parker gestured for her to stay put.

With firm steps and a lean figure, Parker's presence was filled with a masculine aura Tiana couldn't forget.

His departing figure was so captivating, she found herself staring long after he was gone, her heartbeat racing uncontrollably.

When he drove up, she quickly looked away.

The drive was mostly silent between them.

The stifling silence was shattered upon their return to Delight Mansion by Cherry's exuberant welcome.

"Ah! Daddy Parker, you're back. Cherry... Cherry thought you were gone forever, cried for so long, a whole month, daddy," she sobbed, throwing herself at him.

Waiting by the doorstep, wrapped up like a burrito by the nanny in a little red cape against the winter's first snowflakes, her tear-streaked, doughy face melted Parker's heart.

didn't know why, but he was so fond of

since Tiana had brought her to Emperor

all, she was his brother's child, a blood

me give you a hug," he said, squatting down

daddy, daddy!" Cherry stubbornly corrected,

a look, frustration and embarrassment mingling in her expression, "How many times have I told you not to call Mr. Doonan daddy? He's

her mom, "I just know he's my daddy. And I only want

was too much for Parker to bear saying 'no' to. He glanced at Tiana with a smirk, "So, you mind her calling

couldn't decipher his intent. Was it a

raced even faster, dodging his

harm? She's missing a father figure. Why be so harsh on her? Wouldn't you

good guy in

when Cherry grows up, how is she supposed to explain this awkward relationship, that Parker is

find it off-putting to be eagerly called

mind," he replied softly, his gaze returning to her, direct and clear, "I like Cherry, and if being her daddy is

"What... do you mean?"

in turmoil under his

with

Cherry, he was willing to be

that what

daddy, don't overthink it. I'm

Didn't you say last night you were thinking of

into her fluttering heart, a cold splash of reality

say I wanted to marry Barclay? That was just you aggravating me

marry him?"

retorted sharply, "In your eyes, am I just some resigned woman, ready

explaining, "That's not what I meant.

what right did he have to be upset? What did she

lip, curiosity getting the better of