Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 839

"Why play dumb?" Tiana scoffed softly, "Aren't you right now keeping your fiancée company?

Once you've made your choice, stop beating around the bush. It just makes you seem indecisive, not at all like a man."

"Tiana, don't test my patience. I haven't even said anything yet; how do you know what I'm about to say?"

"So, are you or are you not with Endora, even last night?"

"I wasn't with her last night! But right now, I'm with her because..."

"Save it." Tiana thought of the medical report that declared her infertile for life, closing her eyes in resignation. Stop kidding yourself, Tiana, there's no future here, and you're not a teenager anymore. Teenagers can chase love bravely, and if they fail, they can just start over.

But as a single mom, can you afford to chase a man and lose face?

She couldn't!

She took back all her feelings, cutting off Parker mid-sentence with a cold finality, "Stay with her then. It's not like I care, because I don't like you at all!" Boom.

Snow seemed to fall inside Parker's mind, suffocating him.

She had given her answer, and it was that she didn't like him at all.

Fine then.

She didn't need his explanations because she didn't care for him.

Even if he'd been with Endora, it wouldn't upset her.

She didn't like him, so she wouldn't get jealous.

That's it, no need to flatter oneself.

Anger engulfed Parker, but beneath it was a hollow feeling, as if his body's warmth was draining away, leaving him utterly powerless.

All this time, their flirtation, could it have been just her playing him?

of the Doonan family, played by

just fall for any woman. I'm giving you one more chance-do you like me

affection supposed to be some kind of charity that I

were the photos

phone tightly, her words laced with thorns, "You think I'd

woman do you

lump in her throat, "Well, since Mr. Doonan looks down on

as the

he slammed the phone

recoiled, leaning against the wall as tears blurred

in distress, "Mommy, can't you talk it out? Why do you have to fight with Daddy Parker? You obviously like him, why deny

to be a lovesick fool!" Tiana wiped away her tears with a self-deprecating laugh, "Let him be with Endora. Better them than hurting someone else."

mommy's search

ran back to her

-

At Ludwik's mansion.

hadn't returned, he called, ready to tease him about how long he planned to mix with Tiana...suddenly, he sensed something was off on the phone. "Parker?" The man began, "Where are

got

with

heavier, "What happened?" "Endora caught

with her."

Endora?

recalled, vaguely remembering her

the brothers took her

Parker

with her?" Ludwik

and she threatened me. Endora figured I didn't want to go public, thinking of

know Barclay, my elder brother isn't easy

second, his brow furrowing, "So you're playing

let your business suffer." Parker said with a bitter laugh, "Just half a month. Endora's making a scene now, but I'll cut her loose in half a month." Ludwik thought

Parker made for the Lippert

Tiana...she didn't misunderstand, did she?"

there's no misunderstanding. Don't try to make me