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.

we going to watch a movie? Let's go!" Sammy loudly suggested,

nodded vigorously, pulling

Jack got distracted and turned to

his finger hovering over the 'call' button, "You coming to the movies or

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

said you can't stand at my doorstep.

She felt tricked.

with her son had now unwittingly included an unwanted guest. Linda shot

as helpless, now having

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

of King Arthur,

suspicious, "Haven't you always

caught off guard. Danny was too cool

age, still had the heart of a child and loved

Jack, "It was my choice. Got

Linda's stern face,

eyes at how quickly some people could

retort, but

be with his sweet nothings, even if it

suddenly remembered, "Mom, I got our tickets, but we didn't get one for dad... The show's sold

Linda said, already coordinating her and Sammy's story with Danny to

had been eagerly looking at the snack

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

I can do anything about it now.

softened his gaze and asked gently, "What do you want then? Popcorn, fries,

soda and large fries!" Sammy was genuinely excited; he'd never been to the cinema with his

so happy, Linda's gaze softened,

went to queue for snacks, standing out in the crowd with his model-like stature and effortlessly stylish posture, attracting admiring glances from many, including those who weren't single. Linda watched his distinguished figure, her mind drifting back to three years

to the cinema together then, but it was a

behest, he made a heavily pregnant Linda