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

lips turning rosy. "Whitney,

Ludwik's so crazy about

"Are you

say

meant! I just never paid attention in

class."

her shoulder with mock enthusiasm,

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

out of the ER by

you, future M.D., always right on

gushing, hoping Whitney

man and find out the

don't have a man," Tiana pouted,

from the nurse's

and they headed

elevator doors opened, a

hall.

tense and silent-nurses hurried by, heads

look.

shot up

At the door

room, Beckford-tall and imposing

in old age-stood glaring.

was Ashton, easily a

his face set in stone,

handprint blooming across his

cheek.

slap Ashton?" Tiana whispered,

of the Beckfords always got real, real

the hall, Parker