Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 962

Cherry's eyes widened in shock, her gaze fixed on the man's stunningly handsome face. Her not-quite-three-years-old brain whirred at high speed, and after a moment of thought, she ventured a guess, "You claim to be my daddy... Could it be, you and mommy actually got married?" "Yeah! At the wedding, you made mommy take an oath, but I know it's not official until there's a marriage license. Did you get one? Are you planning to adopt me as your stepdaughter?!"

Parker and Tiana nearly short-circuited, Parker's handsome face freezing over.

What in the world was she thinking, binge-watching soap operas?

The heartfelt confession Parker had intended to make got stuck in his throat, ruined by the little one's wild speculation.

Parker, trying to keep a straight face, pinched her little head, "You're quite set on being my stepdaughter, huh?"

"Well, since I'm not biologically yours, I've dreamed of being Daddy Parker's little princess," Cherry said with a pout, looking even more dejected.

"Cherry." Tiana, noticing Parker's darkening mood, finally intervened. She took her daughter's hand, her voice serious but soft, "Your dad is Parker, he's the daddy you've been longing for. Did you understand what mommy said?"

Cherry looked confusedly from her mom to the man's handsome face and back again.

After a long pause, her eyes widened in disbelief, "Mommy, what are you saying? Are you tricking me?"

"No trick, Cherry. I really am your dad. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you before," Parker said, his voice deep.

His eyes were deep and warm, like the ocean, seemingly ready to drown her in their depths!

Cherry's tears started to flow, and after a long silence, she threw herself onto Parker's shoulder, crying and hitting him with her little hands, "Is it true? Daddy, daddy... You're so mean. Didn't you see it? I told you when I first met you that I knew you were my dad. But you ignored me, and so did mommy.

Nobody believed my little heart.

stopped saying it, keeping you as

call you

baby, you didn't even come to

Her cries were heart-wrenching.

one's heart. She had lived

was indeed lonely, trying to be strong

her hit him, "It's all daddy's fault. I was foolish, letting my treasure suffer. Go on, hit me, let

brimming with tears yet radiating joy. She smiled through her sadness, looking cautiously at Tiana, still showing respect for her mom, "Mommy... can I really call him daddy? Won't you be upset?" The question hung in the

daughter's question to gauge Tiana's feelings. He looked at her

be clearer about the nights Cherry had clung to her neck from nightmares, calling for daddy to

her eye, quickly hidden as she smiled softly, "Mommy wants Cherry to be happy.

have a daddy now, I'm Daddy Parker's little princess. My daddy is super cool and tall, and

her with tender eyes, his lips curving in a soft smile, enduring

felt good, the child held no grudges against

so well, grateful for her. She had taught Cherry to be warm and open-hearted, even when she

a great mom, and she

now. You just woke up, and mommy is worried about your health. Don't move around too much,

a dream, remembered Cherry's recent

the bed, immediately pressing the call button for the doctor, eyeing Tiana, "Don't worry, she seems to be in good spirits, but I'll have the

Tiana replied softly, her brow

Soon, several pediatricians arrived.

high spirits relieved them from Parker's intimidating presence.

consciousness and cognition are both normal. Her physical injuries need care, but

ingestion of any substances, we'll conduct a gastrointestinal exam, though it might be uncomfortable