Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 839

"Why play dumb?" Tiana scoffed softly, "Aren't you right now keeping your fiancée company?

Once you've made your choice, stop beating around the bush. It just makes you seem indecisive, not at all like a man."

"Tiana, don't test my patience. I haven't even said anything yet; how do you know what I'm about to say?"

"So, are you or are you not with Endora, even last night?"

"I wasn't with her last night! But right now, I'm with her because..."

"Save it." Tiana thought of the medical report that declared her infertile for life, closing her eyes in resignation. Stop kidding yourself, Tiana, there's no future here, and you're not a teenager anymore. Teenagers can chase love bravely, and if they fail, they can just start over.

But as a single mom, can you afford to chase a man and lose face?

She couldn't!

She took back all her feelings, cutting off Parker mid-sentence with a cold finality, "Stay with her then. It's not like I care, because I don't like you at all!"

Boom.

Snow seemed to fall inside Parker's mind, suffocating him.

She had given her answer, and it was that she didn't like him at all.

Fine then.

She didn't need his explanations because she didn't care for him.

Even if he'd been with Endora, it wouldn't upset her.

She didn't like him, so she wouldn't get jealous.

That's it, no need to flatter oneself.

Anger engulfed Parker, but beneath it was a hollow feeling, as if his body's warmth was draining away, leaving him utterly powerless.

All this time, their flirtation, could it have been just her playing him?

Him, the scion of the Doonan family, played by this woman?

Grinding his teeth, he said, "Tiana, I don't just fall for any woman. I'm giving you one more chance—do you like me or not?"

"Is your Mr. Doonan's affection supposed to be some kind of charity that I should be grateful for?"

All Tiana could think of were the photos Endora had sent her.

Clutching her phone tightly, her words laced with thorns, "You think I'd be your mistress? You're not worthy."

"Is that how you see me? Tiana, you've really got some nerve! What kind of woman do you think you are, to be worthy of me?" Parker was furious, his words cutting deep.

Tiana swallowed hard against the lump in her throat, "Well, since Mr. Doonan looks down on me, I wish you and your cousin all the best!"

Silence, a deadly silence, as the man's breaths turned fiery.

Then, he slammed the phone down.

Tiana recoiled, leaning against the wall as tears blurred her vision, obscuring the face of her daughter.

Cherry cried out in distress, "Mommy, can't you talk it out? Why do you have to fight with Daddy Parker? You obviously like him, why deny your feelings?"

"Because he chose Endora, and Mommy doesn't want to be a lovesick fool!" Tiana wiped away her tears with a self-deprecating laugh, "Let him be with Endora. Better them than hurting someone else."

"Daddy Parker really, Endora is the worst, how can he not break up with her? Did a dog eat his brain?" Cherry was equally disappointed.

It seems like her mommy's search for a daddy is over.

Whimpering, she ran back to her room, seeking solace with Danny.

-

At Ludwik's mansion.

When Ludwik noticed Parker hadn't returned, he called, ready to tease him about how long he planned to mix with Tiana...suddenly, he sensed something was off on the phone.

"Parker?" The man began, "Where are you, not at Tiana's place?"