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."

noticed her subtle

the baby, but did she want to avoid being close

been quite harsh with

woman had grievances, he knew, her pouted lips said it

might think his changing

woman, does she not realize he saw the child as a

settled, not rushing to win her

child was there, Parker had all the time in the world

going on here? Tiana, Whitney, what you guys were

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

Whitney, belatedly realizing Celine was also present,

to stop her, stepping forward with a resolve to win over his future mother-in-law's forgiveness and affection. He spoke softly,

a laugh and

expression changed, fearing her

and I'm

saying?" Tiana flushed at his blunt

of their time on Saltland Island flashed through

redder, wishing he'd be

too far," she

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

thought terrified

yours, no need to plan my future. I didn't say I

gaze shifting from her flushed face to her defiant eyes, then to her

course I do!" she

stern, the intensity in his eyes

his aura, swallowed hard, her voice muffled and filled with grievances, "Can't I just be on my

my children." Parker was visibly upset. Had she not

what?" Tiana felt overwhelmed by love's

finally understood her grievances and