Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 961

Tiana's eyes gradually filled with tears, how long had she waited for that apology?

How foolish she had been, not even knowing Cherry's true heritage, that her father was standing right before her.

The man who had wronged her three years ago wasn't Barclay, but the very culprit in front of her.

He owed her an apology, three years of hardship and struggles, all because of him.

"You were wrong. Your biggest mistake was getting engaged to Endora, indirectly allowing her to wreak havoc. Parker, this time I'm going to make Endora's entire family pay a hefty price. I don't care if you have other thoughts..." "No need to say more, unforgivable!" Parker's eyes filled with regret and a cold determination as his deep voice echoed around her shivering form. "Luckily, Whitney unveiled the truth, and fortunately, we got Cherry back." Seeing the fragile tears in her eyes, his heart stirred. He stepped forward, hands reaching to gently hold her shoulders, wanting to pull her into a deep embrace. "Tiana, it's not too late for us. Give me a chance to make amends. And don't forget, we took our vows in front of the priest yesterday. When I said marriage, I wasn't playing games.

Before last night, I wanted to imprison you by my side as a punishment, indeed resenting Cherry's existence.

But after last night, I'm filled with regret! I want to bring you and our daughter closer to mend things.

Do you understand what I mean?"

Tiana looked at him, her eyes wide and misty, his directness sending her heart into disarray. Was he declaring his feelings?

But her mind was in turmoil, momentarily thinking of the child she had lost, his child... A wave of heartache clenched her. Fate had played a cruel joke; had she known Cherry was his child sooner, she wouldn't have been so desperate. She didn't know what to do, unable to answer him immediately.

With unresolved feelings and secrets between them, she gently pushed away his lean arms, her voice low with resentment, "I don't get it.

Why did you humiliate me when we were trying on wedding dresses? Your attitude changed so drastically, treating Endora so well before the wedding, only to abandon her and force me into marriage. Was it a spur-of-the-moment decision or just a cruel joke? Parker... I'm so tired, I don't want to guess what's on your mind.

Even now, with Cherry being your daughter... that just means we share a daughter, nothing more. I'm not ready to talk about us, maybe there was never 'us' to begin with. Sorry, I don't have the strength to think about it."

Parker felt a chill in his heart, her myriad of emotions indicating she wasn't ready to forgive him.

He understood, having made numerous mistakes over three years, any woman would struggle to accept him and live with him immediately.

He pursed his lips, a beautiful thin line, his gaze deep and intense. Adjusting his glasses, he allowed the seriousness in his eyes to be more visible, "I'm serious, don't run away from this. We have a daughter who's three years old, how can there be no story between us? Our story has already happened; we were just two fools."

Tiana's heart ached, her hands moving to cover her eyes as she turned away, her lips quivering with uncountable grievances and resentment, cursing the missed time and the cruel fate that tormented her to death.

She refused to speak or respond to him.

Parker's hand, slightly sweaty, reached out to hold her pale, delicate fingers.

Just then, a soft sob came from the bed outside, "Mommy... Mommy..."

"Cherry's awake!" Tiana snapped back to reality, her gaze shooting towards the door.

Parker, too, stiffened and quickly turned around.

Their concerns were immediately drawn to their daughter on the bed, putting an abrupt end to their conversation. Parker moved swiftly towards the bed.

Seeing the small, frail head moving under the covers, tears on her bruised face, the child waking up in search of her mother, his heart surged with emotion, momentarily at a loss for words. "Cherry..." His role had changed, how was he to voice this?

Seeing him stand there, clueless like a fool, Tiana felt a mix of emotions. Beneath his sophisticated glasses, a hint of moisture glimmered, his emotions roaring like tumultuous waves.

Tiana quickly bent down, holding her daughter's small hand. Cherry sobbed about her pain, "Mommy, it hurts, my face, my neck, and my hands... they hit me, scared me with rats..."

"It's okay, sweetie, don't cry!" Tiana listened to her daughter's incomplete sentences, her heart breaking.

She gently picked up her daughter's tender body, soothing her, "It's all over now. Mommy and Daddy Parker saved you. No more bullies, hear me? Don't be afraid."

"I hear you. Huh... Daddy Parker?" The little girl's tear-stained eyes searched the room.

Suddenly, Cherry saw the familiar figure of the man, tall and imposing on the other side of the bed!

Her eyes widened, and she even leaped from her mother's arms, scurrying towards him, "Daddy Parker! You want to see me again? You said that night we shouldn't meet again, and it hurt so much, but I didn't dare cry in front of you, afraid you'd dislike me more." "I'm sorry, sweetheart." Parker's voice was filled with an indescribable huskiness, "I'm so sorry, darling, Daddy's sorry."

He reached out, pulling the little bundle of energy into his arms. That moment, holding her close, his heart leaped with an excitement he'd never forget.

Lucky to have her back.

"Sweetheart, Daddy will never say that again! From now on, we'll always be together, okay?"

Cherry, nestled against his solid chest, felt comforted by his gentle words and the luxurious fabric of his shirt against her skin. Daddy Parker's uncharacteristically tender approach was soothing.

He promised to always keep her close?

Could it be true?

The little tyke's eyes sparkled with excitement, even more than when she had been rescued from a kidnapping - a joy that was pure and shining. She lifted her tiny head, her chubby little hands gripping Daddy Parker's lean neck, "Daddy Parker, why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden? Is it because you and Mommy made up?

You kept calling me 'sweetheart' over and over... Wait, did you just call yourself 'daddy'!? I used to beg you, and you never wanted to pretend to be my daddy!"

Tiana couldn't help but smile, amused by the clever little one's rare moment of slowness.