Love beyond the mask ( Whitney )
Chapter 981

Parker took a long drag from his cigarette, squinting through the smoke. "You're right. A perfectly innocent girl, ruined by me three years ago, and now, here she is, carrying my child. If I were in her shoes, I'd want to kick that jerk too."

"At least you're aware that you're the villain in this story."

"I might be the villain, but let's get one thing straight - Tiana is the only woman I've ever really wanted."

"Oh, really? What about your engagement to Endora?" Whitney didn't mince her words.

Parker took another guilty drag, contemplating. Then, with a look of sincerity in his deep, charming eyes, he turned to her. "You seem to have a particularly strong dislike for Endora. Do you think Tiana is that bothered by her? So much so that she doesn't want to marry me? Does she hate me?"

Whitney saw this as an opportunity. She sauntered over and gave him a sideways glance. "You two are something else. Always jumping to conclusions after a fight.

Think about it, if Tiana really hated you, would she be happy about the baby? She hasn't even mentioned not keeping it. That means she wants this baby.

If she despised you, would she even consider it?"

Parker got the point. "But if she's okay with having the baby, why won't she marry me? She should want to give the kids a legitimate family name. Besides, marrying me, the heir to the Doonan fortune, would make her the lady of the manor. She'd live in luxury. How is that settling?"

"Where do you get this sense of superiority?" Whitney rolled her eyes. "Tiana was well-off even before this mess. Do you think she cares about being Mrs. Doonan like Endora does?"

"That's not what I meant. I think she doesn't want to marry me because she doesn't like me."

"Well, you're not entirely wrong. Think about what you've done over the past three years, how many times you've hurt her. And you've never even properly courted her. Have you two even dated?

Why should she rush into marriage with you?"

Parker paused, catching Whitney's drift, and looked up. "You think I'm being hasty?"

"Are you not? Typical male ego, thinking you can just claim a woman because she's carrying your child. You think she has no right to decide, that she should just marry you, right?"

"I..." He couldn't deny that was exactly what he wanted.

To whisk Tiana away, to keep her close, dreaming of a blissful family life with her and their child. His yearning was evident.

Whitney had to suppress a chuckle, shifting her tone. "Don't push her. You're using the wrong tactics. Tiana is stubborn. The more you rush her, the more she'll think you don't love her, that you just want the baby."

"Did she tell you that herself? What's she thinking!" Parker was frustrated.

"Why would I chase her if I didn't love her?"

"Women are emotional beings, okay? I talked to her. She lacks confidence, doesn't believe you'll treat her right forever. So, what do you do?"

Whitney's eyes twinkled with wisdom. "Be patient. Take care of her during the pregnancy. Stop pressuring her for marriage. She'll feel cornered and doubtful. Once she sees how genuine you are, she'll open up to you and accept your love. Got it, kid?" With that, she playfully tapped Parker's arm.

Parker's face darkened as he ruffled his hair, frowning. "But what if she runs off with someone else in the meantime? She's not exactly a supermodel, but there are plenty of sneaky guys out there."

Whitney kicked him lightly. "Stop talking down on her. Tiana is beautiful. Would you be this worried if she weren't? Be patient and gradually break down her defenses. You can't rush perfection." "..." Parker was visibly annoyed. Chasing a woman was this complicated?

And here he was, concerned she might think of leaving, despite carrying his child. How unsettling.

"Fine, I'll lay off the marriage talk for now. But she has to accept my care during the pregnancy. She can't leave me."

"It's all about how you act now," Whitney warned him sternly. "I've helped you this far. If you mess this up, there's nothing more I can do. You'd be doomed to bachelorhood."

"...Damn, don't jinx me!" Parker cursed under his breath.

Whitney ignored his frustration and shifted the conversation to Elaine.

Parker was taken aback, having been preoccupied with Tiana and unaware of Elaine's release.

"I've been too focused on Tiana to notice she slipped through the net?"

His demeanor turned cold, the usually warm gaze sharpening with resolve.

Whitney frowned, "Ashton seems to trust the police investigation, thinking Elaine has reformed. He says he's just repaying a debt. Do you know the real story between them? Is it just unrequited love, or is there more?"

Parker's frown deepened as he flicked away his cigarette. "No, it's not just a crush. When we were kids, Valerie lived with the Fuller family, and Elaine visited as her cousin. Ashton fell into a frozen pond one winter, nearly dying. Elaine supposedly saved him. That incident soured Ashton's relationship with Valerie, who didn't cry for help. He married Valerie out of obligation but never treated her well, always fixated on his savior, Elaine."

"..." Whitney sensed something off. Valerie was known for her kindness, and her relationship with Ashton was once close. It didn't add up. And with Elaine's current malice, could she have been the angelic figure from their childhood? The story needed unraveling. "So, Ashton, this straight-laced guy, is all grateful and silently in love with Elaine, and he's still blindly helping her to this day?"

Parker shrugged, affirming her suspicion, "Ashton, well, back when he was in the military, he was as stubborn as an old oak. Once he set his mind to something, that was it. He believes he wouldn't be here if it weren't for Elaine.

It's one thing to be grateful, but he's taking it too far. Even when Nolan Fuller and I thought Elaine went off the rails three years ago, he wouldn't hear of it. Clearly, there's a personal bias.

If he tells you now it's just out of gratitude, then he's definitely not over Elaine."

"Blind as a bat, that one." Whitney muttered dismissively, too exhausted to even rant.

Just because of a so-called life-saving favor, he's still adamant about siding with this woman, what a fool.

Whitney's gaze turned icy, sharply focusing on Parker, "I don't want Elaine causing trouble anymore, and now I have the means to stop her, tonight. Lend me a few of your guys, will you?"