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.

weren't we going to watch a movie? Let's go!" Sammy loudly

nodded vigorously, pulling Jack along, "You

Jack got distracted and turned to

'call' button, "You coming to

his long legs carrying him to the elevator, not giving Linda a chance to change

had said you can't stand at my

She felt tricked.

with her son had now unwittingly included

blinked innocently back at her; he was just as helpless, now having

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

of

twitched, suspicious, "Haven't you

caught off guard. Danny was too cool for

age, still had the heart of

"It

slightly, looking at Linda's stern face, his lips curving, "No, sounds

roll his eyes at how

braced herself for his retort, but it

Jack could be with his sweet nothings, even if it had been

they arrived at the cinema, Sammy suddenly remembered, "Mom, I got our tickets, but we didn't get one for dad... The

watch it then. Just as well he leaves," Linda said, already coordinating her

eagerly looking at

who invited me to come along," Jack's

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

and asked gently, "What do you want then?

excited; he'd never been to the

gaze softened,

stature and effortlessly stylish posture, attracting admiring glances from many, including those who weren't single. Linda watched his distinguished figure, her

to the cinema together

and at her behest, he made a heavily pregnant Linda