Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 1181
Whitney didn't want her mom to go back to Germinia full of bitterness, never making peace with Dad for the rest of their lives.
Even if her parents could never go back to what they used to be, she knew they both deserved to know the truth.
And deep down, Whitney hoped her mom could recover some old memories— maybe heal some of the pain she'd kept buried
for so many years.
She took a long, steady breath, then looked at Parisa with all the seriousness she could muster. "Mom, I'm not trying to push you
and Dad back together."
Parisa seemed uneasy, her fingers picking at the edge of the blanket. "Whitney... I got married in Germinia, you know?" Her
voice was hesitant, as if she needed Whitney to really hear it. Even though that marriage had been short, her late husband much
older, and more of a mentor than a soulmate, Parisa was still grateful for the kindness and support he'd shown her, especially in
her career.
Back then, her husband in Germinia had been drawn to her sharp business sense, and he'd helped her find her footing, step by
step.

Whitney could sense the respect her mom held for that chapter of her life.
She nodded, a trace of regret in her smile. "Dad got married too, you know... You and he―your lives went in totally different
directions for more than a decade. Mom, I'm not a kid anymore. I'm not going to throw a tantrum and wish you'd magically get
back together. I just... This is probably the only chance you'll have to see each other again. I just hope you can finally pull that
thorn out of your heart, stop it from hurting you. I think that's what Dad wants too.
He wants to see you, but I promise, he'd never force you."
When it came to Hudson, Parisa could feel the man's old-school manners. They'd been under the same hospital roof for days,
and if Hudson were the pushy type, he'd have shown up at her door already-but he hadn't. Not once had his face appeared in
the hallway outside her room.
Parisa smoothed the bedsheet, her fingers trailing over the cool fabric. The chill crept into her chest like ivy winding around her
heart.

She didn't want to let Whitney down, but at the same time, she was curious about that bitterness she'd held on to for so long.
What had really happened between her and Hudson, all those years ago? Why had Keegan Tennyson said their father had
moved the whole family to Banyan City, hiding out, running from something or someone? Had Hudson really wanted to hurt her,
back then?
She'd tried to get answers from Keegan the day before, but he'd kept his lips sealed.

For a long
moment, Parisa just sat
there, her eyes distant and
thoughtful Finally, she nodded.
"Whitney, I don't want to put you in a tough spot. And you're right-I can't just go on living with a million questions and blank
spaces in my life. If Mr. Sheldon really doesn't have any other intentions, I'll agree to see him. Just once.
And that way, you'll have what you wanted too.
I never want to be the reason you're unhappy."
Whitney felt her mom's gentleness, and it made her eyes burn with tears. She was so moved-she knew how much courage it
took for Parisa to agree. The past was a locked box, after all; who knew what they'd find when they opened it up?
"Thank you, Mom... for giving Dad a chance." She quickly corrected herself. "I
mean, a chance to talk. Are you up for it, though?"
Parisa smiled knowingly. "You're testing me again, aren't you?"
She paused, then nodded. "Sooner or later, it has to happen. Now that I've
agreed, there's no point in dragging it out."
Whitney beamed and lifted a bowl of chicken soup, feeding her mom a few more spoonfuls. "Why don't you rest for a bit? I'll go
check on Dad's room later."

"It's almost lunchtime. Shouldn't you look in on Mr. Lippert?" Parisa asked, thinking of Ludwik.
Whitney stacked up the bowls and shrugged. "He's fine. Parker's with him. Don't worry."
Parisa sighed. “Still... He got shot going after Bryce. I can't help feeling responsible, like I owe him one."