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.

the sound

a faint scent of cleanliness. Cherry took a few steps, then stopped, hesitating to call

for the tall figure of the

Click-

The bathroom door opened.

fresh shirt and trousers, buttoning up, discreetly left, "Young Master, the little friend is in

gaze drifted from the diamond cufflinks, his long eyelashes wet from the shower, adding a misty, slightly hungover laziness to his eyes, yet his gaze was deep and dark. Looking over, he indeed saw

Tiana's round cheeks, with big, honest eyes and a sweet mouth that often brought

seeing a mini Tiana,

him, her heart leaping to call him 'Daddy Parker,' but fear made

sense the indifference and coldness in his look and

again, nervously clutching her clothes, too

cautious demeanor softened Parker's hard heart, casting a long shadow over Cherry as he approached. Despite this,

pain and reluctance. He had never found this insulting before, back when he and Tiana could have been possible. But now, knowing what had transpired, he felt the title was an

her but seeing her teary, hopeful eyes, he couldn't bring himself to do

trembling, "Daddy Parker, are

mad at you," he reassured,

broke up. But it wasn't mommy's fault! Please don't be mad at her, she's been really upset, getting sick often. And now with grandpa's trouble, she's even more

at her, still somewhat dazed by

she Barclay's daughter? What did he do to deserve such a considerate child? Why couldn't she be

disappointment, desiring a woman, a child, that weren't his, but belonged

want 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 more

sensing Parker was

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

about those