Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 978

Tiana's eyes reddened, "Whitney, thanks for taking the leap. I know you were worried I'd blame you."

"Yeah, what if we both didn't want the child? What then?" Whitney had agonized over this.

"I've always dreamed of her carrying my child..." Parker blurted out, his voice trailing off as he instinctively glanced at Tiana, whose cheeks suddenly flushed a bright red. Avoiding his gaze.

He too felt at a loss for words, clearing his throat softly, "Anyway, you made the right call, Whitney!"

"But Whitney... I remember you gave me an anesthetic, and I was out cold on the operating table. And then you prescribed me herbal medicine afterwards. I also felt some pain... How would all that affect the baby?"

Realizing she was still pregnant, Tiana couldn't help feeling anxious.

Whitney raised a hand to pat her confused head, under Parker's worried gaze, admitting, "The anesthetic was just saline. I pressed on your acupoints to make you drowsy and pass out.

As for the 'herbal medicine', it was all to stabilize the pregnancy! If your stomach didn't hurt a bit, how could I have fooled everyone?"

Tiana's tense face finally relaxed a bit, "So that's what happened."

Watching her belly with bated breath, Parker's eyes softened instantly, comforting her deeply, "You gotta trust Whitney. She knows her stuff."

His voice, strong and reassuring, brushed against her ear. Tiana wasn't quite used to it yet. He seemed so eager, almost assuming the role of a doting father, and she couldn't help feeling that his sudden change of attitude was mostly because the baby was still alive. Why did he care so much about the baby?

Was it because he naturally loved children, or because this child was hers?

Tiana, having sheltered herself for so long, dared not boldly fantasize about his love.

Maybe, it was because of the child, that he was now showing her kindness?

Subconsciously, she shifted her shoulders, slightly moving away from his imposing presence, murmuring softly, "We should all thank Whitney."

her subtle

happy about the baby, but did she want to

it much, considering he had been quite harsh with her

he knew, her pouted lips said it

changing attitudes were all because of

realize he saw the child as a lifeline, hoping to keep her tied to

rushing to win her affection

long as the second child was there, Parker had all the time in the world

Tiana, Whitney,

that moment, a figure approached from afar. It was Celine, her eyebrows furrowed and her expression drastically changing as she looked at Parker, then at her daughter's belly, only catching bits and pieces of their conversation. "Tiana, you and Parker, this child?" She pointed at her daughter's

belatedly realizing Celine was also present, hurriedly tried to

with a resolve to win over his future mother-in-law's forgiveness and

a laugh

changed, fearing her mother's

hand, "This baby is mine, and I'm fully responsible for

you saying?" Tiana flushed at

their time on Saltland Island

cheeks turned even redder, wishing he'd be more tactful.

go too far,"

her with a raised eyebrow, "How is this too far? The first child is mine, and with the second one on the way, marrying you is entirely feasible. Celine surely wouldn't force you to abort again, especially now that you've found a place to settle down." Tiana

thought

"Just clarify the child is yours, no need to plan my future. I didn't say I wanted to marry

her flushed face to her defiant eyes, then to her belly, his voice tinged with irritation, "You're carrying my child.

course I do!" she replied

the intensity in his eyes like a

aura, swallowed hard, her voice muffled and filled

children." Parker was visibly upset. Had she not considered him at

Tiana felt overwhelmed by

finally understood her grievances and showed compassion, she was