Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 960

Parker, holding a bag of takeout breakfast, returned.

The door to the private hospital room was shut, causing the man to frown slightly as his long legs nudged the door open.

Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a few rays on the corner of Cherry's bed where she lay alone, without Tiana by her side.

The room was a suite with a spacious living area. Faint sounds of water came from the bathroom around the corner.

Parker's furrowed brows relaxed a bit. Was she in the bathroom?

First glancing over at Cherry, he set down the breakfast and pocketed his hands as he walked towards the bathroom.

The frosted door was ajar, not fully closed.

Tiana always kept an eye on her daughter and dared not close the door completely. She was quickly undressing, wetting a towel to wipe her neck and chest. Just as she was about to finish, feeling uneasy, she peeked outside to check on her daughter- At that moment, the bathroom door was pushed open.

"Tiana, are you here?" Parker's deep voice resonated, husky from a sleepless night, carrying a magnetic charm, the warmth spreading through the crack of the door directly above Tiana's head.

She had washed her hair, the damp strands cascading over her delicate, fair collarbones, with droplets sliding down her curves...

Parker was greeted with this scene as he pushed the door open!

The sight of the woman's slender shoulders and luminous skin took his breath away. Her breathing intensified as if startled, her chest heaving beautifully.

Parker's gaze was involuntarily captivated, rendered speechless.

"What are you doing?" Tiana quickly covered her collarbone, standing there dazed, forgetting to hide.

"Sorry," the man's voice was hoarse, his brow furrowed, though his Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed, "I heard water and thought you were washing your face!"

Despite the situation being inappropriate and untimely, Parker couldn't help but notice her curves seemed fuller?

Though he wasn't sure where this comparison came from, as his memory didn't recall any intimate moments with her. The events on Saltland Island were also forgotten. But at this moment, he felt, beneath her clothes, her figure was quite enticing, not as thin as she appeared clothed.

"I'm not washing my face, just... wiping off some sweat..." Tiana's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her words trailing off. Everything had happened between them, yet the recent turmoil and emotional strife had created a profound sense of distance.

Last night, because everyone was around, and because they were looking for Cherry, she had relied on him.

Now, with Whitney and the others absent, facing him alone, she suddenly felt like she had lost her voice.

Uncomfortable, her heart skipped beats, following her nervousness.

The man's gaze upon her was deep and intense.

Her cheeks flushed even more, and she suddenly remembered to turn away, her fingers trembling as she reached to close the door.

But she couldn't find the door handle in her haste. Dropping the towel, she quickly picked up her clothes, murmuring, "Can you step back, please?" "Oh..." Parker responded, his voice low, yet he made no move to leave.

Tiana picked up her old bra, hurrying to put it on.

She struggled with the hooks, perhaps out of haste, and felt them tighter than usual. Glancing down, she noticed her size seemed to have increased.

Could this be a side effect of hormonal changes from a miscarriage?

Frustration knitted her brows.

"You've got the hooks wrong," Parker's voice broke the silence, magnetic as ever.

Her delicate neck tensed, she half-turned, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, "Why haven't you left?!"

"Need help?" Parker asked darkly.

Tiana's thoughts raced back to the day they tried on wedding dresses, this infuriating man pinning her against the makeup mirror, ruthlessly tearing her dress, his rough fingers trailing over her shoulders and waist, humiliating her. How could she let him close again? Her face filled with indignation, "No, thanks."

"Your clothes seem too small," he commented on her thin bra, his gaze dark and stirring, "Have you gained weight recently? It doesn't show. I'll have someone from the store pick out a new one for you." "What does my weight have to do with you?"

Which woman would want to hear she's gained weight from the man she cares about?

Especially now, Tiana was already feeling down, her gaze dropping coldly, "My clothing size is none of your business, Mr. Doonan. Please, step away. I'm very uncomfortable."

Uncomfortable?

Parker's dark gaze softened slightly.

Did he make her feel uncomfortable?

Parker watched her coldly, "Tiana, are you turning your back on me now?"

Last night, with their daughter in danger, she seemed to rely greatly on him. They worked together to find their daughter. Now that all was well, facing him alone, her attitude turned cold and distant again?

Parker sighed, his lips tight. Truth be told, upon entering and not seeing Whitney, he felt a bit nervous about facing her alone. Too much had happened between them. Just yesterday, he had whisked her away from her wedding, forcing her into a marriage, planning to keep her by his side forever. Their path had long been rough, strewn with obstacles and thorns.

Since learning about their child's true parentage yesterday, his predominant feeling was regret.

His gaze softened as he looked at the fragile woman before him, her large eyes filled with an indescribable mix of grievance and sorrow.

Parker's heart melted. How could he be harsh on her?

Over the past three years, she had struggled, moving from place to place with Cherry, enduring so much suffering.

He realized how foolish he had been, not only failing to support her but also unwittingly aiding Endora in tormenting Tiana, mocking her at every turn. When Elaine pressured her, causing her to lose her job and her family to break apart, he had remained aloof, never bothering to check on her.

During those times, holding her newborn, she must have felt utterly hopeless.

It was only after Whitney returned that he gradually began to hear bits and pieces about her life.

Clearly, she detested him. And as a man who prided himself on his dignity, he had never sought her out, nor could he admit to the peculiar feelings he harbored for her.

Of course, those feelings were complex.

She had given birth to his daughter. How could he have been so blind?

Parker ran a hand down his chiseled jaw, his voice suddenly hoarse, "I'm such a fool. I wasn't trying to grill you or make light of the situation. I just... out of the blue, I didn't know how to talk to you so you'd listen. I'm sorry, Tiana.

Every single moment of these past three years, I've been in the wrong..."

His Adam's apple bobbed deeply, the rich timbre of his voice lost in the silence that enveloped them both.