Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 963

Parker was about to inquire further when he noticed Cherry's anxiety mirroring her mother's. He swiftly interjected, "The kiddo just woke up, let's not bombard her with questions and risk confusing her. Just to be on the safe side, doctor, I'd like my daughter to undergo a gastrointestinal screening." "No, I don't want to be checked," the little one protested, visibly scared.

Parker felt a pang of sympathy, but given the possibility that Elaine, that malevolent woman, might have fed her something harmful, he had to rule it out. He scooped his daughter up in his strong arms, "Sweetie, there's nothing to fear, daddy's right here with you. It'll be over before you know it." With his daughter wrapped snugly in a blanket, he followed the doctor to the examination room.

Tiana trailed behind them, seizing a moment to call Celine, "Mom, is Whitney in the operating room? How's dad doing?"

"The deputy director approved Whitney's presence! The surgery is still underway. God help us, I pray your dad makes it through." Celine's voice was laced with worry. "Has Cherry woken up?"

"Yeah, she's awake. Parker's taking her for a check-up."

Watching Parker's towering figure from a distance, with his daughter perched on his shoulder, making her seem even more delicate, Tiana felt a bittersweet warmth. The closeness between Parker and Cherry was evident, a mutual affection that existed long before. "Parker? How come he's looking after the child?" Celine was puzzled, aware of Parker's connection to her granddaughter, but considering Cherry was believed to be Barclay's child, it seemed unlikely Parker would harbor any affection for her, if not outright disdain. "Tiana, make sure Cherry doesn't suffer any injustice with Parker. If he's forcing you, that's one thing, but you must protect Cherry..."

"Mom." Tiana blinked away her hesitation, deciding to reveal the truth, "Actually, Cherry is Parker's biological daughter, not Barclay's. We just found out about this."

"What?! How could she be Parker's?" Celine gasped in astonishment.

Tiana managed a wry smile, "Fate plays strange tricks. Neither Parker nor I realized. I was foolishly deceived by a paternity test from Barclay, but thanks to Whitney, who first doubted Endora, she secretly conducted a new test between Cherry and Parker, leading to an ironic revelation.

That night, it was Parker, not Barclay.

We were both unaware, a plot by Endora that lasted three years."

good or bad, but Parker is

So, realizing the truth, he seemed quite regretful for not recognizing

hear, my poor granddaughter... She

charming

the conversation towards her daughter, a mix of concern and hope, "Now that your child is his, for the sake of giving the child a

that now," Tiana cut her mother off, her mind overwhelmed by

after all the turmoil he caused you, the ridicule you faced... He must take

in surgery. Why bring this up?" Tiana's voice carried a hint

being replaced by Parker, the distinguished young head of the Doonan family, whose nobility she had

a man as Cherry's father might mean brighter days ahead for the Melford

"Alright, I'll stop. I'm just waiting for your dad to come out. You take care of Cherry. Maybe our family's

back, thankfully showing no traces of harmful substances. Parker, with a cold snort, said, "Seems like Elaine didn't manage to meddle in time, or perhaps she knows better than to

given her connections to Endora and those kidnappers, they're bound to turn on

Ashton doesn't protect her, Elaine

hardened at the sight of Cherry's bruised face, filled with

-

family's loyal butler awaited them, flanked by two

the old master has heard that you've found the child.

on a

arms of the towering man, noticing the bruises marring her otherwise round and delicate face. Despite her injuries, it wasn't hard to see the inherent cuteness, her features finely chiseled. The resemblance she bore to young Master Parker

she was the daughter of Mr. Barclay,