Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 926

"Why bother now? With everything that's going on with your dad, I think we can slow down a bit!" Whitney tried to reason, her voice a mix of concern and frustration.

"It's what Barclay wants. I'm worried I won't get the other half of the antidote if I don't," Tiana replied, her eyebrows knitting together as she glanced down at her barely two-month-old belly. It was so flat she could almost convince herself that the embryo had never been there, though just the thought made her heart ache.

Parker, oh Parker, he had made his choice.

Wasn't it obvious how he protected Endora that day in the hospital room?

He was getting married!

There was no reason for her to keep the child on her own.

Besides, getting her father the antidote was the most crucial thing.

Sitting down, Tiana dug her nails into her tangled hair, revealing her thoughts. "The most important thing is, my dad doesn't want me to keep it. He thinks this baby, with its uncertain paternity, is an embarrassment to me and a disgrace to the Doonan family." "Moreover, I plan to ruin Endora at the wedding. I don't want to leave her any chance to hurt me. If the child has to go, I choose to let it leave quietly rather than saying goodbye in a bloody scene at the wedding."

"How do you know something will definitely go wrong at the wedding?" Whitney frowned, "Me, and Ashton, we'll protect you. Tiana, I know you're gathering evidence to expose Endora at the wedding, to get the antidote and tear her apart, but don't rush with the baby." Tiana shook her head with a bitter smile, "Hesitation only leads to chaos, Whitney. I'm afraid if I wait any longer, I won't have the heart to do it. Then what? Am I supposed to give birth to another Cherry? A child without a father's love, lonely and isolated? I can't go through another three years of that, let alone let my dad suffer. I just want to do as he wishes."

Whitney sensed Tiana's determination, perhaps even her resignation. Parker hadn't given her a sliver of hope. What should she do with the baby?

"If it were me, I'd be just as lost, without the strength to carry on."

"Have you made an appointment with the doctor?" Whitney ventured.

Tiana nodded absentmindedly, "I dropped by the OB/GYN department here at Skyfaith Hospital when I brought my dad in. There's a doctor available today."

Whitney's tense expression softened slightly, letting out a sigh of relief that Tiana had chosen Skyfaith Hospital. She had an idea.

"When is it happening?" she asked softly.

Tiana, sensing Whitney's disapproval yet understanding her friend's acceptance of her decision, replied, "My mom will come to watch over my dad, and then I can go." Whitney pursed her lips, "Stand up. I'm coming with you now."

"Aren't you busy with something else?" Tiana asked, puzzled.

Whitney's eyes flickered, her expression becoming stern, "Are you crazy? How can I not be by your side if you're going through with this? We can talk about those other things later." She quickly sent a message to Ashton, asking him to take care of Cherry and that she'd visit in the afternoon.

"Which doctor did you book? I want to meet them first, see if they're competent. Your health has been so fragile lately, and with your poor constitution, I really can't be at ease!" Arriving at the operating room, Whitney deliberately asked this question. Tiana, believing her friend was just being overly concerned, handed over her registration form. "Dr. Bill, right? I'll meet with this doctor. Wait here for me, and we'll start with the anesthesia when I get back."

Whitney, cautious not to let Tiana make any decisions on her own, specifically requested a nurse to 'keep an eye on her'.

She then dashed into the office of Skyfaith Hospital's director, revealing her identity as Ludwik's ex-wife which prompted immediate action from the director himself. Whitney waited in the director's office, and soon Dr. Bill, the OB/GYN, joined them.

After about ten minutes, Whitney and Dr. Bill emerged together, the director personally seeing them off.

Whitney smiled and shook hands with Dr. Bill, "Please make sure everything goes smoothly and keep it confidential. Don't let my friend suspect anything. Director, I'll remember this favor." The director responded smoothly, "Ms. Valentine, everyone knows you were married to Ludwik... We'll take good care of it, don't worry."

Whitney also specifically mentioned, "My friend's father, Fabian, is in the ICU. His condition is very special, so please arrange for extra security."

"Of course, we'll take care of everything Ms. Valentine asks for."

Returning to the pre-op room, Whitney saw Tiana looking frail and more worn out than ever. Her slender figure seemed to shrink beneath her clothes, a clear sign of her deteriorating health.

Thinking about the abortion, Whitney blamed Parker for not considering Tiana's wellbeing. Yet, relationships weren't like chess; bystanders couldn't just move the pieces and solve everything. No matter how much outsiders tried to meddle, it wouldn't help resolve the complexities of love and hate.

As a friend, Whitney could only do her best to support Tiana in the ways she could.

"Whitney, they said the procedure is quick, just a few minutes, and it's not like before where you have to recover for a month," Tiana said with a semblance of ease, trying to mask the turmoil inside.

Whitney knew better. Removing this child would sever the last tie between Tiana and Parker, and she couldn't let that happen.

She glanced at the nurse, who was in on Dr. Bill's plan, and shared a knowing look.

Whitney gave Tiana's hand a reassuring squeeze, her smile tinged with a hint of mockery. "You're digging so deep into this, trying to ease your guilt, huh? Do you really think terminating a pregnancy is that simple?"

"Stop it, Whitney. My mind is made up. It's just one of those things. Let's pretend it never happened. It wouldn't have been happy anyway. I hope it gets a better start next time," Tiana's voice cracked as she spoke, the weight of her decision straining her vocal cords. Whitney blinked rapidly, her grip on Tiana's shoulders tightening. "Are you sure you don't want to think this over? Tiana, did it ever cross your mind why your dad was suddenly released on medical bail this morning? Could it be that Parker had a hand in it? Maybe he can't bear to be harsh on you after all?"

Tiana froze, her heart skipping a beat. The call from the station that morning had filled her with an overwhelming sense of relief and joy, but the possibility of someone orchestrating her father's release had crossed her mind. But Parker? Could it really be him? Trembling, she looked into Whitney's eyes, searching for answers. "Do you think it was him? You've been in touch with him behind my back, haven't you? What did he say to you?"