Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 1199

He was nervous—more nervous than he’d ever been in his entire life, and that was saying something, considering everything he’d been through.

Not even the night he confessed his feelings to Parisa had made his heart hammer like this. Time had passed, and with it came a thousand tangled emotions: guilt, regret, and that stubborn love that refused to die.

“Parisa,” he started, voice low and trembling, “I know you don’t remember me. Maybe you don’t even want to see me—you probably only agreed because of Whitney. You didn’t want to upset her, so you’re here… is that right?”

He stood straight and tall at the edge of her bed, dressed in her favorite navy button-down and a sharp suit and tie. There was something undeniably dignified about him, a kind of old-money class that used to catch Parisa’s eye every time.

And deep down, hidden even from herself, lay a complicated mix of longing and resentment. She found herself glancing at him more than once, her heart aching and fluttering at the same time.

She realized with a start: this was her old self’s feelings for this man, echoing back from before she lost her memory.

It made her wonder—just how much did she use to love Hudson? What had happened between them, really? She’d had a child, lost a child, almost died in that explosion… How could any love survive something so devastating?

Parisa forced herself to look away, her tone cool and distant. “Since you already understand how I feel, Mr. Sheldon, I hope after today, you won’t contact me again.”

Hudson froze at her words.

He couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze, instead focusing on the blanket bunched up in her lap. A bitter, helpless smile flickered across his lips. “Of course. I won’t.”

“Parisa, I’m not here to make excuses.”

Hudson stepped closer, but only by half a stride, his eyes searching her face for any sign of softness. Her sharp questions made something flicker in his dark gaze. “Parisa, have you started to remember little pieces?”

He took a deep breath. “I came here because I want to tell you the truth about what happened back then. If you’re willing to hear it, if you’re not completely against it… can I tell you my side?

It took me years to find out what really happened. There were so many misunderstandings, you and I both missed so much of the truth.

Our families tore us apart. Other people played their games. That’s how we ended up like this… Do you want to hear it? Do you want to know about the life you can’t remember?”