Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1310

Tiana fell silent for a while as they walked together down the hospital corridor,

then hesitantly broke the quiet. "Whitney... are you still a little uneasy around

kids?"

The moment she said it, Whitney knew she was testing the waters.

She glanced back at her friend, catching the worried look in Tiana's eyes. Whitney

gave a small, reassuring smile. "What are you thinking? Seriously, your pregnancy

hormones must be through the roof-you're overthinking everything. Tiana, I don't

have any issues with her, and I don't dislike her."

"Really?" Tiana nodded, trying to sound understanding. "It's okay if you aren't

comfortable, you know. Especially with Florence in the mix... He was such a jerk."

Whitney's eyes were clear and steady. "No, really. Everyone thinks I'd be hung up

on it-Ludwik too-but honestly, I'm not. What's done is done. There's no point

holding onto grudges.

Florence is gone. The child's DNA? That's mine.

If anything, I feel guilty towards her. Of course I'll take good care of her."

Tiana let out a long breath, visibly relieved. Even though the conversation was

rushed, the thing she'd been worried about for weeks had been cleared up in

really was the smartest and most clear-headed of their

"Whitney, nobody gets through

No wonder Ludwik's so crazy about you-he's totally

you saying I'm some kind of femme

just say I've

come on! That's exactly what I meant! I just never paid attention

class."

shoulder with mock enthusiasm, looking for

but laugh. "Move it. Let's go check on

the

you, future M.D., always right on

hoping Whitney would

her, "Call your man and find out the room

Tiana pouted, but obediently pulled

getting the room number from the nurse's

and they headed

opened, a sharp,

hall.

and silent-nurses hurried by, heads down, not daring

look.

eyebrows shot up

At the door

room, Beckford-tall and imposing

in old age-stood glaring.

was Ashton, easily a

face set in

handprint blooming across his

cheek.

Beckford just slap Ashton?" Tiana whispered, stunned. The

Beckfords always got

the hall,