Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1308

Whitney glanced sideways at her, her voice deep and steady. "You know, the people who love the most often end up getting hurt the worst."

"I'm not so sure about that!" Tiana replied quickly, hope flickering in her eyes. "Lately, I've seen Valerie really lean on Nolan. The two of them together... it just feels peaceful, like something good and safe. Even the baby seems to adore them both."

Whitney caught the look Tiana gave her and understood exactly what she wished for, but she wasn't as naive or sentimental.

"If Valerie finds happiness again, you and I would both wish her the best," Whitney said quietly. "But you know as well as I do-Nolan's the Parker heir of the Fuller family. That name alone comes with all sorts of baggage. It's not so easy to just ignore all that."

Tiana fell silent, her eyes dropping. "Timing is everything, isn't it? Sometimes being first or second changes everything for a lifetime. Ashton really screwed up. Honestly, I hope Valerie never forgives him."

"It's too soon to say," Whitney answered, her tone calm but comforting. "What matters is Valerie's still here. She's healing, and she'll make her own choices when she's ready."

"I believe in her." Tiana sniffled, then forced a smile. "Valerie and you-you both think things through so much more than I ever could."

"Come on," she added, grabbing Whitney's arm. "Let's go see our goddaughter."

faint smile. She linked

had reserved the entire pediatric wing just for the baby-one private room, quiet

stern-faced bodyguards stationed outside and, for

it was Valerie's daughter or her own,

settled down, so he must've been desperate

In&t

pulled that stunt, the security's been doubled," Tiana explained, half-whispering as they walked. "Beckford cleaned house got rid of everyone Ashton put in place. And honestly, ifat weren't for Nolan sticking up for Valerie with his dad, things could've been a

always wore her heart on her sleeve—if she liked someone, she broadcast it to

getting a little jealous

the nurse's okay, they stepped quietly into the

two professional childcare workers from

baby. Everything was spotless and

almost 7 a.m., and the little one was already awake-legs and feet kicking under the

instincts immediately kicked in, her gaze softening. "What's Valerie's baby's name?" she