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.

watch a movie? Let's go!"

vigorously, pulling

and turned to look

the 'call' button, "You coming to

to the elevator, not giving Linda a chance to change her

I had said

She felt tricked.

movie outing with her son had now unwittingly included an unwanted

as helpless, now having

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

Journey of King

mouth twitched, suspicious, "Haven't you always

caught off guard. Danny was too cool

for his age, still had the heart

"It

the steering wheel slightly, looking at Linda's stern face, his lips curving,

roll his eyes at how quickly

retort, but it was as soft as

remembered how charming Jack could be with his

the cinema, Sammy suddenly remembered, "Mom, I got our

Just as well he leaves," Linda said, already coordinating her and Sammy's story with

looking

are you talking about? You were the one who

it's not like I can do anything about it now. There are no

his gaze and asked gently, "What do you want

have a soda and large fries!" Sammy was genuinely excited;

gaze softened,

and went to queue for snacks, standing out in the crowd with his model-like stature and effortlessly stylish posture, attracting admiring glances

the cinema together then, but

with Elaine, and at her behest, he made a heavily pregnant Linda accompany them to