Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 943

He didn't waste a moment before he aggressively claimed her slightly parted lips, caught off guard.

Tiana was breathless under Parker's kiss, her body rubbing between his strong embrace and the cold wall.

The kiss, meant to ignite her pulse into a frenzied beat, only left her heart aching with his underlying message.

He wanted her to marry him—to become his wife for real.

But his condition: she must get rid of the baby she was carrying.

That child... Though she had already secretly taken care of it, hearing him speak so cruelly of killing it felt like a thousand arrows piercing her heart.

Deep down, she knew he despised her.

Parker, do you even realize? That was your own flesh and blood.

Aside from you, I've been with no other man...

But his evident disdain wanted a clean slate, a brutally fresh start without her past.

So, the real reason he wanted to marry her was to torture her, to watch her struggle in despair for his twisted satisfaction, wasn't it?

That explained the excessive drinking, just to bear kissing her!

Tiana's heart felt like it was being pricked by needles. She detested this, her hands pulling at his unyielding arms, trying to push away his impulsive advances, "I can't marry you, I'm already legally bound to Barclay.

How can I calm your anger? If today's punishment wasn't enough, I agree—"

She managed to speak in the brief moments he let her breathe, "I agree, Parker, just let me go now. My dad's waiting for me to bring the rest of the antidote to save his life. Once I've done that, you can punish me however you want...

Just not through marriage. My marriage to Barclay was a transaction, because I don't love him, so it didn't matter.

But with you... With you, Parker, I can't endure another marriage filled with pretense and revenge. It'd be too painful for both of us.

If I've hurt you during this time, I deeply apologize. I'm willing to face your revenge.

Just not with chains of marriage."

"Shut up! Is marrying me that hard?"

Parker was profoundly disappointed. It took enough alcohol for him to spit out these words.

Otherwise, in a sober state, he could never soften, his only desire was to strangle this woman!

But because he couldn't let go, and because he liked her too much, he overlooked his emotions and hatred, asking only that she abort that "mistake" so he could clear his sight!

"So, you're unwilling to marry me?" He gripped her face tightly, draining its color, his gaze dark and furious.

Tiana felt misunderstood. She shook her head bitterly, her heart trembling as she looked into his handsome, somber face, "It's because I care, I don't want to be a stain in your marriage.

If you can't wholly accept me... Ah, I know it's too much to ask.

You despise the seed within me, but do you also despise Cherry? Parker, tell me, can you face Cherry after we marry? Don't forget, she's also Barclay's..."

"Stop talking!"

The days on Saltland Island replayed in her mind.

It was hard not to be confused; she bit back tears and grasped his hand, "You're drunk, listen to me first!"

"You think I can't touch you?" Parker whispered harshly into her ear, "If I couldn't, that'd be unhealthy. Tiana, I'm a grown man. To a man, it's all the same in the dark! You're nothing special, I can manage."

Boom...

His words turned her face deathly pale, a bitter laugh swallowed by their entangled lips.

If he scorned her, not truly wanting her, why force himself?

In the dark, it's all the same... managing despite reluctance... was he repulsed even as he kissed her?

No, she refused such humiliation, and endless disdain. Tired, she dodged his advances and touches, tears quietly falling on his burning wrist, "Enough. If this is another way to torment me, then you've succeeded. I'm deeply hurt and insulted.

Is that enough, Parker? Let me go! My dad is waiting, and so is Cherry!"

With that, regardless of his willingness, she pushed away the man still clearly intent on going further, quickly slipping from the counter, her face pale with anger as she ran outside.

"Tiana—!" Parker's handsome face flushed with rage and sinister energy.

"If you even think about running, I'll break your legs!"

"You can't treat me like this. I just had an abortion, what do you think you can do to me now?" Tiana yelled over her shoulder, her voice laced with despair as she ran.

His mind snapped. She had an abortion?