Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 942

Tiana pursed her lips, unwilling to engage in conversation with him. He seemed to be wrapped in a cloak of thorns.

She dumped out the cold water from her glass and, holding it, headed towards the kitchen. "Hold on a minute. I'll make you something to warm up. How about a bowl of overcooked spaghetti? It'll soothe your stomach."

Her slender figure vanished into the kitchen. She was still wearing the vintage wedding dress he had "left over" for her, not having had the chance to change. It hugged her waist, making her appear as delicate as a willow, moving with grace. She wasn't tall, but her legs were straight, and her figure was striking.

Parker leaned back on the couch, his fingers pressed against his temples, watching her quietly.

He thought to himself, he had personally chosen that dress. How could it not fit?

His expression was cold, his gaze deep. He didn't know what to do with her!

His heart harbored layers of resentment, yet, at this moment, his mind was filled with her image-

Her sweet scent filled the room, familiar and calming. Her eyes were submissive, and though she seemed soulless, she was very much present, offering him tangible reassurance. Parker kept asking himself, what did he truly want?

Did he want her free spirit, her complete submission from the heart, or to continue this forceful act of marriage, even if it meant not having her affection, just to have her by his side? The man squinted fiercely, his gaze nearly setting Tiana's figure aflame.

She could feel his intense gaze on her, as if his eyes were glued to her, unnerving her with their piercing strength.

Unable to control her movements, she tried to suppress the heat on her cheeks, returning to her senses. She opened the fridge to see what ingredients were available. Nothing!

Only two eggs were left in the storage box, along with an opened packet of spaghetti. She wasn't sure if it was still good to eat.

She tiptoed to reach down from the top shelf, looking for any vegetables or fruit, even a tomato... but found nothing.

Tiana thought about asking him if it would be okay to order some groceries for delivery.

But when she turned to look at the living room, his figure was no longer on the couch. Peering around the kitchen corner, she couldn't see where he was, only faintly hearing the sound of a cabinet being opened. Tiana bit her lip, unsure if she should initiate conversation.

Ultimately, she decided to just prepare this meal for him, hoping it would make him feel a bit better, and in turn, perhaps lighten his mood enough to let her go.

After all, hiding here, or being held here against her will, was not a sustainable situation.

The water began to boil.

She quickly turned around, turned off the electric kettle, and set the boiled water aside to cool.

On the stove, she cracked the eggs into a pan, frying them gently.

"I like my eggs sunny-side up," came Parker's deep, magnetic voice from the living room.

Tiana stiffened slightly. The quiet of the living room made his masculine, slightly husky voice all the more captivating, as if sandpaper was gently grazing her ears.

She subconsciously touched her itchy ear.

As she focused on the frying egg, she couldn't help but think: Had she and Parker ever truly spent time alone? Not really. They hadn't even dated in the traditional sense, missing out on the usual progression of mutual attraction, confession, and becoming a couple. So, she didn't know Parker's preferences, like his fondness for sunny-side-up eggs.

She had never cooked a meal just for Parker.

The few times their paths had crossed were when he came over to the Whitney's with Ludwik for dinner, and she happened to help with the cooking.

Their relationship, full of unspoken affections and feelings, had never been clarified. And yet, she knew there was a time when she occupied his thoughts. She could occasionally catch his gaze on her, making her face flush and her heart flutter with sweet, unspoken intimacies, nearly overwhelming her. Was he the same during those moments?

Did he enjoy catching her lingering looks, feeling a surge of pleasure?

If she hadn't given birth to Cherry, if the past three years hadn't driven them apart, perhaps they wouldn't have been so awkward around each other.

Life was short, and in her case, filled with regret.

As Tiana's thoughts deepened, her eyes grew moist. Today would likely be another regret, considering they couldn't truly marry. Her act at the wedding, despite his rash behavior, was more about punishment or rebellion against the Doonan family than a genuine desire to marry her.

Understanding Parker, knowing whether his intentions were true, seemed impossible.

How could they ever come together?

If he was willing to overlook the past and persist, maybe... just maybe, she'd let go of her reservations and love him wholeheartedly.

Her internal struggle ceased as the eggs finished cooking.

Tiana watched the spreading egg white, shrinking back like a turtle. For now, she'd focus on making him the perfect egg, uncertain if she'd ever have this chance again.

She boiled more spaghetti than needed, feeling hungry herself.

Just as everything was nearly ready, she timidly called out, "Parker, dinner's ready..."

Before she could finish, someone suddenly embraced her from behind.

The imposing figure, the firm lines of his body, and his hands assertively encircling her waist from behind!

Tiana froze for a moment, enveloped by his masculine presence and the overpowering scent of liquor.

It took her a moment to realize it was Parker, his breath hot on her head, his body's aroma mixed with the harsh smell of alcohol engulfing her.

She was startled, trying to break free while anxiously asking, "You've been drinking?"

"You're insane!"

"Your stomach was hurting so much earlier... and you went to drink? I already said I'd make you something to warm your stomach. Now, what's the point if you're like this, Parker? You're being childish!" Frustrated, she struggled to free herself from his iron grip.

Unexpectedly, he held her tighter, turning her around to face him against the counter. His long, attractive legs pressed against her, his hand holding the bottle now pinning her water-dampened hand behind her, immobilizing her.

She was immobilized, forced to press closer, her chest heaving. He leaned down, his lips barely brushing against hers, which were flushed a vibrant cherry red. His eyes, dark and inscrutable as inkwells in the chill of winter, fixed on her with an intensity that was almost palpable. A smirk played at the corners of his mouth as he asked, voice tinged with a mocking tone that held an undercurrent of bitterness, "Do you still care about me?"

Lowering his head, he pressed firmly against the corners of her mouth, his words coming out in a harsh, hoarse whisper, "If you don't want to make things harder for me, Tiana, you'll get rid of that mistake. Then we'll get our license, and I'll keep you by my side, forever if I have to. Even if it means we torment each other for the rest of our lives!"