Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Jake growled, "I never messed with your head, man. Now you're acting all dazed and confused, treating Florence like she's your queen. What's going on? Your dad's here to rescue you. This is your shot at freedom. You're not gonna go with him? You wanna stay locked up?"

Sammy turned his head, his deep, insightful eyes staring at the wall. Soon, his eyes were moist with tears, and he choked out, "Dr. Jake, I miss my mom."

Jake was taken aback, fighting the urge to scream, "If you miss your mom and you're not really out of your mind, then get moving! Staying here is just causing me trouble, you know. I could end up in a world of hurt because of you!"

But Sammy turned his gaze sharply, a cold and lonely smile on his face. "Because I love her, I want to protect her. You and Florence, you've done something to my mom's health! Unless you tell me what it is, and Florence reveals her secrets, I'm not going anywhere. You can keep your mouth shut forever, but I'll find out myself."

Jake's face stiffened. That secret, he would take to his grave, especially from Whitney's son! The secret of the embryo transplant was meant for the grave.

"Good Lord! Your mom's fine. She's not sick, and no one's stealing her organs. What are you fussing about? Just go with your dad!" Jake was desperate, his face a picture of misery.

Sammy wasn't buying it. The more Jake refused to spill, the more sinister Sammy believed the secret to be. His determination to stay close to Florence and uncover what she had done to his mom solidified. He glanced outside the window, his lips pressed tightly together. He didn't trust his worthless dad. He couldn't leave his mom's safety in his hands.

-

In the morning at the Lippert Resort.

Florence had been over the moon all night because of the news that Whitney had been forced to publicly admit her relationship and marriage to Bryce. The embryo had successfully implanted, and she began feeling sleepy. She slept until mid-morning when a frantic call from Myra woke her up like a bucket of cold water.

Ludwik. I found out it was Jake, the traitor, who turned against us and led Ludwik right to Sammy. Luckily, Ken only took Sammy to the sanatorium, not anywhere near the lab. And there's a silver lining: Ludwik didn't manage to rescue Sammy. That kid, completely fooled by us, resisted Ludwik, seeing him as the villain and you as the hero. He's determined to stay by your side." Florence felt like she'd

way, Ludwik's bound to come for you. You need to

Knock, knock!

snapped Florence back to reality, her face pale as she turned. The Lippert family's maid called from outside,

down and get dressed, her eyes flickering with panic. Outside her bedroom, the air turned chilly, the tension palpable

in the grand European-style living room, sat Ludwik comfortably on a luxurious sofa, his legs crossed, sipping on a cup of coffee. The aroma of black coffee,

must have been

make him betray his own interests to help him? As Florence pondered, she saw

Realizing Ludwik had found Sammy, she felt a chill run down her spine, her hand instinctively touching

was amiss, "Ludwik, the maid said you were

on Florence was calculating, as if

raced at his silent questioning, "What have

she denied any wrongdoing, "Ludwik, what could I possibly have done to him? These past days, I've merely

hand shot out, gripping her neck in a vice. His lips curled into a sinister smile as he dragged her

"Ludwik!"

screams echoed as he dragged her to the bedroom window, forcing her legs out over the edge of the second-floor

I'm pregnant, Ludwik, with your child! Even if I've had Sammy stay as a guest, that's no reason to