Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 888

Whitney couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and pity as she watched Tiana struggle with her emotions. "Girl, come on," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. "You know as well as I do that Endora posting those pics is just her way of poking the bear, right? Remember when Elaine tried to stir up trouble between us? You called me out for being too close to the situation to see it clearly. Now it's like Endora's just xeroxed Elaine's playbook - and it's not even a good copy. How can you fall for her act?" "Maybe we should give Parker the benefit of the doubt. He's probably cut ties with Endora for real. It's her, clinging on, green with envy over what you two have. She's desperate to wreck your ship."

Tiana paused, a shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes as Whitney's words sank in. Was she suggesting that Endora's move was a classic case of 'the lady doth protest too much"? "Believing her only plays into her hands," Whitney cautioned.

Tiana's fists clenched weakly. After a moment of silent contemplation, she shook her head. "I know Endora's up to no good. She wants Parker to think less of me, to push me into breaking things off with him. But when have I ever taken her bait before? This... this decision about the baby isn't about her schemes. It's because..."

Whitney understood. Poor Tiana had been through so much; her heart had built walls around it. She believed the hurdles between her and Parker were too high to clear. She didn't even have the courage to take a chance anymore. The biggest obstacle was Cherry's paternity. If Cherry was truly Barclay's, Tiana and Parker's relationship would always be judged.

But what if, on that night three years ago, Parker was the one Tiana was with...? Cherry's lineage would no longer be a question!

With a steely resolve, Whitney decided to get to the bottom of this, even if it meant sneaking samples from Parker or Cherry for a DNA test. A long shot, but worth trying.

"So, regardless of whether I'm falling into Endora's trap, Whitney, it looks like the endgame for me and Parker is already set. I'm not the naive girl I once was. I can't justify sacrificing Cherry's well-being, or my parents' peace of mind, for a shot at love."

Tiana's decision seemed final as she gently touched her stomach, a sign of the heartbreaking choice she felt compelled to make.

Whitney's heart ached for her friend. If only Tiana had more options, if only Parker remembered their past, trusted her more... But the situation as it stood forced Tiana into a corner, alone with her secret.

Whitney held Tiana's hand tightly, her voice firm, "Getting an abortion right now isn't wise; you need to get your strength back first. You can always make that decision later, within the next three months. Just focus on protecting your parents, your daughter. Leave Endora to me."

Endora wasn't playing fair, that much was clear to Whitney. While Tiana was lost in the fog of deception, Whitney saw the situation for what it was.

Meanwhile, Parker barged into the bar, not yet open for the evening. The owner, flustered, came out to greet him, but Ludwik, standing tall and authoritative, silenced the staff with a handful of cash, his voice icy, "Bring out some drinks, nothing too strong." "The strongest vodka you've got!" Parker demanded, his voice heavy with latent aggression. "Or I'll smash this place to bits."

Ludwik, frustrated, tried to intervene. "Parker, enough."

"Parker, you're being reckless. You nearly hit someone driving here."

"Blame that woman."

Ludwik sighed, realizing Parker's pettiness had reached new lows. He knew his friend was in deep.

After clearing the bar, Ludwik planned to have a serious talk with Parker, who by then was already drowning his sorrows in vodka. Despite his reputation for holding his liquor, the day's emotional turmoil had him spilling his guts.

"Ludwik... I've got this nagging feeling. There's something between Tiana and me that's not quite right. On my way to the hospital today, I thought if that child was conceived on Saltland Island, it had to be mine. I was ready to step up, eager even. It would've given me the perfect reason to make her mine. You know how she is, so stubborn, even more so than Whitney, and not nearly as sharp!"

"But why insist it's Barclay's? It's humiliating. A two-month-old fetus can't be mine. She's making a fool of me, comparing me unfavorably to that scoundrel Barclay. After all these years of keeping myself for the right person, to be looked down upon... Why are women so... so easily tempted? Why sleep with Barclay and have his child?!"

His voice trailed off into bitter laughter, the pain and confusion evident.

Ludwik frowned, recognizing the need for a heart-to-heart. "Parker, it's because you care about Tiana that her supposed rejection cuts deep. What's wrong with being a man of integrity? We keep ourselves for the women we love, and that's commendable. But I'm sure she's got the wrong end of the stick about you and Endora."

"Take a breather, man. Find the right moment to clear the air with her."

"Being together means overcoming our own inner hurdles first. Like me and Whitney, I've dealt with my baggage, but she's still working on hers. I'll wait for her."

"Overcoming inner hurdles?" Parker scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's a no-go. She slept with my brother, dude. That's unforgivable!

Think I don't know how to treat a woman right?

Ha! Felix... do me a favor and call up some girls for me. I need to practice my moves in the VIP room - practice makes perfect, right?"

Parker sneered bitterly, throwing his glass to the floor.

"You're wasted!" Ludwik bellowed, getting up to physically restrain a now belligerent Parker, turning to a bewildered Felix, "You seriously gonna find him company? Wanna get axed by him once he sobers up...? Get him a room to sleep it off!" "I need some company tonight. Gonna make Tiana regret, show her I play harder!"

"Go sleep it off," Ludwik commanded, forcibly pushing him into a private room and instructing Felix to lock the door.