Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 942

Tiana pursed her lips, unwilling to engage in conversation with him. He seemed to be wrapped in a cloak of thorns.

She dumped out the cold water from her glass and, holding it, headed towards the kitchen. "Hold on a minute. I'll make you something to warm up. How about a bowl of overcooked spaghetti? It'll soothe your stomach."

Her slender figure vanished into the kitchen. She was still wearing the vintage wedding dress he had "left over" for her, not having had the chance to change. It hugged her waist, making her appear as delicate as a willow, moving with grace. She wasn't tall, but her legs were straight, and her figure was striking.

Parker leaned back on the couch, his fingers pressed against his temples, watching her quietly.

He thought to himself, he had personally chosen that dress. How could it not fit?

His expression was cold, his gaze deep. He didn't know what to do with her!

His heart harbored layers of resentment, yet, at this moment, his mind was filled with her image-

Her sweet scent filled the room, familiar and calming. Her eyes were submissive, and though she seemed soulless, she was very much present, offering him tangible reassurance. Parker kept asking himself, what did he truly want?

Did he want her free spirit, her complete submission from the heart, or to continue this forceful act of marriage, even if it meant not having her affection, just to have her by his side? The man squinted fiercely, his gaze nearly setting Tiana's figure aflame.

She could feel his intense gaze on her, as if his eyes were glued to her, unnerving her with their piercing strength.

Unable to control her movements, she tried to suppress the heat on her cheeks, returning to her senses. She opened the fridge to see what ingredients were available. Nothing!

Only two eggs were left in the storage box, along with an opened packet of spaghetti. She wasn't sure if it was still good to eat.

She tiptoed to reach down from the top shelf, looking for any vegetables or fruit, even a tomato... but found nothing.

it would be okay to order

no longer on the couch. Peering around the kitchen corner, she couldn't see where he was, only faintly hearing the sound of a cabinet being opened. Tiana bit her lip, unsure if she

him feel a bit

being held here against her will, was

water began to

around, turned off the electric kettle, and set

the eggs into

up," came Parker's deep, magnetic

husky voice all the more captivating, as if sandpaper was gently grazing

touched her itchy

egg, she couldn't help but think: Had she and Parker ever truly spent time alone? Not really. They hadn't even dated in the traditional sense, missing out on the usual progression of mutual attraction, confession, and becoming a couple. So, she didn't know

a meal just

their paths had crossed were when he came over to the Whitney's with Ludwik for dinner, and

his thoughts. She could occasionally catch his gaze on her, making her face flush and her heart flutter with sweet,

her lingering looks, feeling a surge of

she hadn't given birth to Cherry, if the past three years hadn't driven them apart, perhaps

and in

they couldn't truly marry. Her act at the wedding, despite his rash behavior, was more about punishment or rebellion against the

Parker, knowing whether his intentions

they ever come

overlook the past and persist, maybe... just maybe, she'd let go of

struggle ceased as the eggs finished

egg white, shrinking back like a turtle. For now, she'd focus on making him the perfect egg, uncertain if

more spaghetti than needed, feeling hungry