Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 921

"Maybe we should just skip it. Who cares about him anyway? You look like you're dreading this, so why bother?" Nolan was genuinely puzzled.

Cherry started to falter, fidgeting with her tiny fingers, "Well, of course... it's because I miss him!"

What she didn't dare to say was that she had a mission of great importance.

The little one made her way along the path, stumbling as she went.

Ashton, with one hand in his pocket, nonchalantly lit a cigarette, squinting through the smoke.

Nolan couldn't help but interject, "I always feel like she's up to something."

"Up to what? She's just a kid, what are you imagining?" Ashton frowned, his affection for Cherry was evident, despite his rough exterior. At his age, the inexplicable desire to have a child of his own was growing stronger.

Nolan looked innocent, "She kept pulling my hair in the car. And when I talked to her, she seemed distracted, kept asking if my head hurt?"

"..." Ashton furrowed his brow, perplexed.

"I mean, come on! I've noticed Danny, Sammy, and this little Cherry, they're all kind of sneaky. Look at the big things Danny and Sammy did quietly in the past, they were instrumental in bringing Ludwik and Whitney closer together! Don't tell me Cherry isn't hiding something too..." Ashton chuckled, "Wouldn't that be a good thing?"

He was tired of Parker and Tiana's endless drama. If Tiana ended up marrying Barclay and became Parker's sister-in-law, it would be an utter mess. Nobody wanted that.

-

Cherry walked into the house, feeling uneasy. The spacious, bright hall was empty and silent.

room came the sound of

Cherry took a few steps,

for the tall figure

Click-

The bathroom door opened.

seeing Parker step out in a fresh shirt and trousers, buttoning up, discreetly

shower, adding a misty, slightly hungover laziness to his eyes, yet his gaze was

round cheeks, with big, honest eyes and a

like seeing a mini Tiana, stirring

caught sight of him, her heart leaping to

sense the indifference and coldness in his look and didn't want to annoy him

she tried again, nervously clutching her clothes, too scared to

casting a long shadow over Cherry as he approached. Despite this, she instinctively stepped back, "Don't be afraid, come here." "Parker... Daddy!" Cherry's voice broke, tears spilling

her call him 'daddy' tugged at Parker's heartstrings, a mixture of pain and reluctance. He had never found this insulting before, back when he and Tiana could have been possible. But now, knowing what had

hesitated to correct her but seeing her teary, hopeful eyes, he couldn't bring himself to do it. "Are

voice trembling, "Daddy Parker,

you,"

But it wasn't mommy's fault! Please don't be mad at her, she's been

her, still somewhat dazed by her resemblance to

What did he do to deserve such a considerate child? Why

life was mostly about disappointment, desiring a woman, a child, that weren't

you worrying about your mom and me. Our issues are not your concern," Parker said with a forced smile, which Cherry could tell wasn't genuine but

welled up again, sensing Parker was still upset with

she pleaded, "Mommy is really hurt, Daddy. Someone's trying to hurt

about those