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

smartest and most clear-headed of their

grinned, her lips turning rosy. "Whitney, nobody gets through

of clarity. No wonder Ludwik's

eyes playfully. "Are you saying I'm some

just say I've

on! That's exactly what I meant! I just

class."

shoulder with

"Move it. Let's

of the ER

M.D.,

Whitney would forget her

man and find

a man," Tiana pouted, but obediently

the

they

as the elevator doors opened, a sharp, echoing smack

hall.

corridor was tense and silent-nurses hurried by, heads down, not daring

look.

shot up

At the door

room, Beckford-tall and imposing

old age-stood glaring.

was Ashton, easily a

his face set

handprint blooming across his

cheek.

just slap Ashton?" Tiana whispered,

Beckfords always got real,

the hall, Parker