Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 978

Tiana's eyes reddened, "Whitney, thanks for taking the leap. I know you were worried I'd blame you."

"Yeah, what if we both didn't want the child? What then?" Whitney had agonized over this.

"I've always dreamed of her carrying my child..." Parker blurted out, his voice trailing off as he instinctively glanced at Tiana, whose cheeks suddenly flushed a bright red. Avoiding his gaze.

He too felt at a loss for words, clearing his throat softly, "Anyway, you made the right call, Whitney!"

"But Whitney... I remember you gave me an anesthetic, and I was out cold on the operating table. And then you prescribed me herbal medicine afterwards. I also felt some pain... How would all that affect the baby?"

Realizing she was still pregnant, Tiana couldn't help feeling anxious.

Whitney raised a hand to pat her confused head, under Parker's worried gaze, admitting, "The anesthetic was just saline. I pressed on your acupoints to make you drowsy and pass out.

As for the 'herbal medicine', it was all to stabilize the pregnancy! If your stomach didn't hurt a bit, how could I have fooled everyone?"

Tiana's tense face finally relaxed a bit, "So that's what happened."

Watching her belly with bated breath, Parker's eyes softened instantly, comforting her deeply, "You gotta trust Whitney. She knows her stuff."

His voice, strong and reassuring, brushed against her ear. Tiana wasn't quite used to it yet. He seemed so eager, almost assuming the role of a doting father, and she couldn't help feeling that his sudden change of attitude was mostly because the baby was still alive. Why did he care so much about the baby?

Was it because he naturally loved children, or because this child was hers?

Tiana, having sheltered herself for so long, dared not boldly fantasize about his love.

Maybe, it was because of the child, that he was now showing her kindness?

Subconsciously, she shifted her shoulders, slightly moving away from his imposing presence, murmuring softly, "We should all thank Whitney."

Parker noticed her subtle movement.

His eyes narrowed slightly. She was clearly happy about the baby, but did she want to avoid being close to him?

He didn't dwell on it much, considering he had been quite harsh with her just a few hours ago.

This woman had grievances, he knew, her pouted lips said it all.

Parker wasn't foolish. She might think his changing attitudes were all because of the child.

Ah, the naive woman, does she not realize he saw the child as a lifeline, hoping to keep her tied to him?

His gaze settled, not rushing to win her affection immediately.

As long as the second child was there, Parker had all the time in the world to bring Tiana back to his side.

"What's going on here? Tiana, Whitney, what you guys were talking about="

At that moment, a figure approached from afar. It was Celine, her eyebrows furrowed and her expression drastically changing as she looked at Parker, then at her daughter's belly, only catching bits and pieces of their conversation. "Tiana, you and Parker, this child?" She pointed at her daughter's belly.

"Celine..." Whitney, belatedly realizing Celine was also present, hurriedly tried to explain.

Parker raised his hand to stop her, stepping forward with a resolve to win over his future mother-in-law's forgiveness and affection. He spoke softly, "Let me handle this."

Whitney suppressed a laugh and nodded.

Tiana's expression changed, fearing her mother's questioning.

Parker squeezed her cold hand, "This baby is mine, and I'm fully responsible for it. I'll explain everything to Celine."

"What are you saying?" Tiana flushed at his blunt words.

Memories of their time on Saltland Island flashed through her mind.

Her cheeks turned even redder, wishing he'd be more tactful. Crude!

"Parker, don't go too far," she warned quietly.

He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "How is this too far? The first child is mine, and with the second one on the way, marrying you is entirely feasible. Celine surely wouldn't force you to abort again, especially now that you've found a place to settle down." Tiana was stunned. Was he planning to propose to her mother right now?

The mere thought terrified her!

She clung to his hand, whispering, "Just clarify the child is yours, no need to plan my future. I didn't say I wanted to marry you!"

Parker's expression darkened, his gaze shifting from her flushed face to her defiant eyes, then to her belly, his voice tinged with irritation, "You're carrying my child. You have other plans?"

"Of course I do!" she replied too quickly.

His face turned stern, the intensity in his eyes like a wolf's.

Tiana, intimidated by his aura, swallowed hard, her voice muffled and filled with grievances, "Can't I just be on my own?"

"You're carrying my children." Parker was visibly upset. Had she not considered him at all?

"So what?" Tiana felt overwhelmed by love's burdens.

When he finally understood her grievances and showed compassion, she was moved.

But... the idea of being tied down so quickly, her heart wasn't ready, and she struggled to adapt.

"Stop fighting." Whitney was exasperated by their constant bickering, each with their stubborn temperaments.

Parker seemed eager to marry immediately, while Tiana clearly hadn't recovered from her emotional turmoil...

"Can you two even last together with this kind of arguing? Childish." Celine chimed in, though somewhat intimidated by Parker, a member of the Doonan family, she still spoke her mind, "Alright, can someone finally explain to me, whose child is in my daughter's belly?" Previously, her husband had been involved in an accident, and Tiana had rushed back to Banyan City. Celine had only learned of her pregnancy then.

Knowing her husband had ordered Tiana to abort the child, Celine assumed it was Barclay's doing again.

But now, hearing it was Parker's child, she was utterly shocked.

Parker stood there, his handsome face lowered in a rare show of humility. His eyes, usually so bright and intense, were focused on Celine as he bent forward in an apology. "Celine, it's on me. I messed up. Back in New York, things got a bit out of hand... Now that you're here, I want to set things right."

Tiana's face turned as red as a lobster.

Her mouth twitched. What a hypocrite.

Whitney couldn't help but chuckle as she pulled Tiana back before she could interrupt. "Let him sweat it out a bit. You're with me now. Let's go get an ultrasound."

"Hey, wait for the ultrasound! I want to be there, I want to see my son!" Parker interjected, his voice laced with urgency.

Tiana rolled her eyes again.

Who ever said this guy was calm and composed? He's nothing compared to Ludwik.

"Just ignore him," Whitney said with a playful pout. "Forget the ultrasound for now. Let's head back to the Doonan Mansion. I've got a bone to pick with Cherry!"