Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 979

"Cherry's been hanging out here," Tiana said, glancing up and pointing toward the lounge next door. "When I left Doonan Mansion this afternoon, she was so worried about me and her dad possibly fighting again that she insisted on coming with me." "Cherry always worries too much," Whitney said with a chuckle.

"What did you want to ask her?"

"It's about Elaine again." Whitney's smile faded, her expression turning grim. "She's been released. Endora didn't rat her out. They must've cut some deal in secret."

"What?" Tiana clenched her fists, her disappointment evident.

"Has Endora lost her mind? How does Elaine, that witch, always find a way to slither out of trouble? Just when you think she's done for, she survives!" Tiana seethed, recalling how her daughter almost lost her life because of Elaine. Whitney's gaze darkened. "Elaine's a master at manipulation, preying on Endora's own survival instincts with promises of freedom. Ashton picked her up after she was released. I had a standoff with him right outside the police station.

But Ashton, that blind fool, just trusts the police investigation blindly and believes Elaine wasn't involved in the kidnapping.

'Everyone's got it wrong about her,' he says, thinking this vile woman has turned over a new leaf."

"Damn it! Ashton is just like Ludwik three years ago. Elaine plays the victim, and he sees her as this helpless woman we've all misunderstood. It's infuriating."

Tiana's frustration was palpable.

Whitney patted her arm, "Calm down, your health can't take this stress. Let's talk to Cherry first. And if Ashton insists on protecting Elaine, I've got enough tricks up my sleeve to handle that nuisance!"

"Not just you, Parker would be the first to not let Elaine off the hook," Tiana huffed.

They entered the lounge.

Cherry was lying on the bed, a chubby little hand sticking out from the blankets, an IV needle taped to the back of it.

She was receiving fluids.

you for looking after

Cherry

blinked her long lashes, slowly opening her eyes, confused, "Mommy, Whitney? What are you

but rebuke Tiana, "Her injuries haven't fully healed, and she's still recovering from a mild

pursed her

a surge of pity, "Cherry, don't worry. He... he came by the hospital earlier. He's currently talking to your grandma about something

little

prefer a little brother or a sister? In a few

more confused now, her gaze shifting to her mom's belly, "But didn't you have surgery, mommy? Sammy said that after surgery, the baby wouldn't be in

there," Tiana placed her daughter's hand on her stomach, the realization that they shared the same father bringing a complex look to her face, "This is the

be your real brother or sister, sharing the same

in mommy's tummy? I want a sister, but anything's fine! Sammy and Danny are close, but they're both boys.

hopes for a sister, "He never mentioned that to me, Cherry. Let's not drag me into

little playmate. I'll

acknowledged her real father, the little girl was already

the matter at hand, "Cherry, Whitney wanted to ask you something important. Can you try

if this bad woman was the one who took you. What did she

picture of Elaine

as she tried to

this bad woman was there too, right?

frightful night, visibly scared. She was only three, after all. Her face paled, and she began to cry, "I only remember being at the beach, then two bad people tied me up and put me in a car. They took me to a deserted

was one of those kidnappers, Cherry. You