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.

asking him if it would be okay to

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

make him feel a bit better, and in turn, perhaps lighten his

held here against her

water began

around, turned off the electric kettle, and set the boiled water

eggs into a pan, frying

sunny-side up," came Parker's deep,

slightly. The quiet of the living room made his masculine, slightly husky voice all the more captivating, as if sandpaper was gently grazing her

touched her itchy

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

never cooked a

their paths had crossed were when he came over to the Whitney's with

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

lingering looks, feeling

the past three years hadn't driven them apart, perhaps they wouldn't

in her case,

Her act at the wedding, despite his rash behavior, was more about punishment

knowing whether his intentions were true,

could they ever

willing to overlook the past and persist, maybe... just maybe, she'd let

ceased as

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

boiled more spaghetti than needed,