Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 369

Why did they both look so stiff?

Jack scrutinized the mother and son, noting how the boy's attire was vastly different from the upscale neighborhood they were in...

A thought suddenly flashed through Jack's mind. He and Linda had two sons, but one had died...

This realization startled Jack. He instinctively pulled Linda aside and blocked the boy, his deep gaze fixed intently on the 'son'.

"Hey, hey, Dad!" Sammy reacted quickly, his eyelashes twitching nervously, "It's me..."

"Who are you?" Jack demanded swiftly, deliberately not giving him time to think.

Linda's heart was pounding; she was terrified Sammy would accidentally reveal his real name.

"I'm...Danny," Sammy said, clutching the sleeves of his shirt, "Have you lost your mind? Not recognizing your own son?"

But Jack frowned at the answer, "But I left before you. How could you possibly get here so fast? And all by yourself, without even a driver..."

"Come on! He just wanted to sneak a peek at me; why are you getting mad at Danny?"

Linda quickly stepped forward, deftly changing the subject, "Danny, sweetie, didn't I tell you the code last time so you could sneak in and wait for mommy?" "Yeah, yeah, I wanted to surprise mom before dad got home!"

"Surprise indeed," Linda muttered to herself, feeling a mix of emotions.

Sammy didn't dare say more. He hadn't coordinated his story with Danny and didn't know what dad had told Danny before leaving!

Jack watched the exchange between mother and son, suspicious.

Danny's response clearly didn't match his behavior at the house; he had refused to come see Linda, and it seemed he hadn't planned on going out. Jack pondered, taking out his phone, ready to call the house phone.

Linda, quick as ever, saw him dialing and broke out in a cold sweat. If Danny picked up at home, their cover would be blown!

Sammy was also panicking. He glanced at his smartwatch, unable to coordinate their stories in front of Jack.

to watch a movie?

right!" Linda nodded vigorously, pulling Jack along, "You

got distracted and turned to

stared at his finger hovering over the 'call' button,

him to the elevator, not giving Linda a chance

thought, "If only I had said you

She felt tricked.

a movie outing with her son had now unwittingly included an unwanted

just as helpless, now having

occasionally glancing in the rearview mirror but Linda wouldn't even spare him a glance. "Danny, what movie

of King

"Haven't you always hated

was caught off guard. Danny

had the

"It was my

turned the steering wheel slightly, looking at Linda's stern face, his lips curving, "No, sounds like

at how quickly some people could

retort, but

be with his sweet nothings, even if it

got our

watch it then. Just as well he leaves," Linda said, already coordinating her and Sammy's story with Danny to

eagerly looking

You were the one who invited me to come along," Jack's

can do anything about it now. There are no tickets left,"

asked gently, "What do you want then?

genuinely excited; he'd

her son so happy, Linda's gaze softened, "I'll

attracting admiring glances from many, including those who weren't single. Linda watched his distinguished figure, her mind drifting back to

cinema together then,

behest, he made a heavily pregnant Linda