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

baby, but did she want to avoid being close

didn't dwell on it much, considering he had been quite harsh with

had grievances, he knew, her pouted lips said

might think his changing attitudes were all because of the

does she not realize he saw the child as a lifeline, hoping

not rushing to win her affection

as the second child was there, Parker had all the

going on here? Tiana, Whitney, what

eyebrows furrowed and her expression drastically changing as she looked at Parker, then at her daughter's belly, only catching bits and

belatedly realizing Celine was

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

a

fearing

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

you saying?" Tiana flushed

Saltland Island flashed through her

wishing he'd be more

go too far,"

"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 was stunned. Was he planning to propose to

mere thought terrified

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

then to her belly, his voice tinged with irritation,

I do!"

intensity in

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

upset. Had she not

Tiana felt overwhelmed

finally understood her grievances and showed