Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Whitney glanced back over her shoulder, her lips curled in a smile that never reached her eyes. "Felix, I've always treated you well, haven't I? Meddling in people's marriages is dangerous business-you get that, right?"

Felix just stared, caught off guard. He mimed zipping his lips shut. "Alright, alright, you win, boss lady. I'm not crossing you."

"Good. You're done for the day." Her smile warmed, brightening her whole face.

She was gorgeous, and her moods flipped in a heartbeat-Felix could only stand there, speechless.

Mr. Lippert had told Felix to keep trying to "talk some sense into Ms. Valentine," but at this point, Felix was officially out. He shook his head and beat a hasty retreat.

At the door to Parisa's hospital room, Whitney peeked inside. To her surprise, her dad was still there.

A flicker of hope lit up in her chest. But then she saw Hudson picking up his coat from the sofa-he was about to leave. She hurried over and knocked on the door. "Dad? Mom?"

Parisa was propped up on the bed, but didn't react to the sound of Whitney's voice. Her lashes cast shadows on her cheeks; her beautiful face was frozen in thought.

was off with her mom, Whitney started to

glanced at Parisa and raised a finger to his lips, signaling Whitney to

stopped in

furrowed, his gaze lingering on the woman by the bed. Finally, he let out a quiet,

leave you be. I should get going now,"

waited. After a long pause, she gave

as he took a slow breath. A faint smile touched his lips as he nodded in return. Slinging his suit jacket over his arm, he

in the door, then hurried to

remember. Everything I could piece together about what really happened-I told

look so... heavy-hearted?" Whitney

a bitter laugh, his voice low and rough. "She said she wanted the truth she could make peace with the past. I was just the messenger...... Whitney, I could tell she doesn't feel anything for me anymore? Not even anger-I think she's finally let it all go. That's good. She's finally set

sadness in his eyes. "Go in and check on her, okay? And, Whitney...

the heartbreak written all over her father's

nowhere, Mom came back for a brief moment—like a firefly on a summer night, lighting up everything. But he

to have them dashed again—it was the cruelest thing