Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 270

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Taryn shushed the air once more, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Don't go blabbing, okay? We don't want Elaine's little spies to overhear. It's our little secret!" Good ol' Taryn, always the heart of gold, watching over her comatose granny.

Sammy made a quick mental note.

So, Granny in her vegetative state needs Mom's experimental new drug?

Her fingers twitched, and Sammy gently prodded the old lady's index finger.

He rose to his feet and quietly made his way out, his little legs carrying him back to the main yard. No, he had to do something he needed to tell Mom.

He was going to step out of this mansion!

"Danny?"

Elaine was back, checking to see if the little rascal was home. Her eyes settled, and she reprimanded, "I heard from Lyra that you've been causing a fuss all morning, skipping preschool and mouthing off to Lyra and the bodyguard. You're getting too bold, young man. I might just have to discuss this with your daddy tonight."

Sammy rolled his eyes inwardly, fearless.

A sweet smile plastered on his face, "Sure, Mommy, go ahead. Let's see who Daddy believes-Lyra, who jumped to scold me, or your false accusations." Elaine's mood, previously uplifted, chilled at his words.

Lyra quickly poured poison into Elaine's ear, "Miss, see? I told you something's off with him. He never talks back like this, acting all sly."

Elaine found the kid's behavior odd but chalked it up to a sudden streak of rebellion.

Seeing that the duo had run out of steam and with his deadbeat dad not around, Sammy didn't bother keeping up the act.

He stomped upstairs, tugged at his little blazer, then, struck by inspiration, turned back down, "Mommy, I want to go shopping!"

"What?" Elaine objected outright. "No way. You tried to run away last night, and you think your daddy will let you out to gallivant? Stay put." "Why not ask him?"

wasn't having any of her nonsense. He approached the landline, dialed a

Ludwik picked up swiftly.

clothes. All I have upstairs are suits, and they've become so uncomfortable lately." Ludwik was puzzled,

Can't I like sportswear now? Or are you too stingy to spend a few bucks on

was actually quite impressed. He liked

Going out wasn't out of the question, but he feared the boy might

at the wicked woman, then sweetened his voice, "Mommy just got back and she looks tired. If Daddy worries, just send a few extra bodyguards with me. I'll be really good."

frowned in the

at her and marched out the

closer to him. If he starts to turn the

If he

of this little brat, Elaine would take care of both of

Elaine climbed the stairs for a nap, waiting

a glance, she swiftly deleted it, but the message lingered in her mind: "Elaine, it's been years, and

had passed with such blandness, and she

with 'Sammy' in tow, Tiana's

clutching her teddy bear, gaped at the

Mister... you're

speech was imperfect, her eyes glued to 'Daniel' as

puppy." Danny, ever so proud, handed her a tissue, his cheeks tinting with a touch of red. "Here, wipe your drool." Tiana was

demeanor, his looks-it was Ludwik all

pulled Whitney aside, her mind racing, unable to keep calm, "Whitney, this

I made sure Valerie wasn't here before coming over. I just need you to watch him until tonight." Tiana inhaled sharply, her hand over her mouth in agreement,

know, the

to respond, her mind a whirlwind of shock and

years ago, it took her a long time to recover, and she hadn't

heard from Valerie once that the child Whitney bore was picked up by Ludwik. They had been trying to save the boy, and

into the sea with had also survived and was now

Whitney not known

speculation, after the fact, that it