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.

why, but he was so fond of

Emperor City,

his brother's child, a

a hug,"

no, it's daddy, daddy!" Cherry stubbornly corrected, climbing onto

many times have I told you not to call Mr. Doonan daddy? He's not

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

baby scent was too much for Parker to bear saying 'no' to. He glanced at Tiana with a smirk, "So, you mind her calling me daddy?" His eyes, under the light,

couldn't decipher his intent. Was

dodging his gaze,

kid likes it, what's the harm? She's missing a father figure. Why be so harsh on her? Wouldn't you rather see her happy?" Parker retorted, seemingly indifferent. Tiana felt uneasy at

good guy in front of

supposed to explain this awkward relationship, that Parker is

an unmarried man, find it off-putting to be eagerly called daddy?"

to her, direct and clear, "I like Cherry, and if being her daddy is an option,

"What... do you mean?"

was in turmoil under

flushed with

implying... that because he liked Cherry, he

that what

being her daddy, don't overthink it. I'm

Tiana. Didn't you say

her fluttering heart, a cold splash

anger, "Did I say I wanted to marry Barclay? That was just

marry him?" Parker's

like that, do I look like I have a masochistic streak?" Tiana retorted sharply, "In your eyes, am I just some resigned woman, ready to lower herself to marry the man who once tormented her?" Her

heart, reached over Cherry to grasp her wrist, quickly explaining, "That's not

be upset? What did she have to

her lip, curiosity getting the better of her, "And why does that