Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Ludwik moved towards the window, peering inside for what seemed like an eternity.

Sammy was sprawled out on the couch in Ryan's living room, utterly still, lost in his own world.

Ludwik couldn't begin to guess what was going through his son's mind, and he hesitated to approach, fearing a violent rejection.

All he wanted was for his son to recover, to come back to him. But he had no idea how long that might take.

With a heart heavy with worries, Ludwik walked away.

As Ludwik's figure receded, Sammy's sharp gaze followed him silently.

"Even if you're throwing a fit, you could at least acknowledge your old man!" Ryan marched in, glaring at the youngster. The pressure from Ludwik was immense, and he felt compelled to persuade Sammy to give up his stubborn stay. Kids have such simple logic, but Ryan knew he couldn't spill the beans to Sammy!

Ryan sighed, "Your dad's breaking his back trying to rescue you. You not only rebuffed him but claimed Florence is your real family. Do you have any idea how much that hurts him?"

A glimmer flashed in Sammy's eyes, "If I don't say that, would he ever realize how dangerous Florence is? The more I pretend to adore Florence, the sicker I get, the more he'll hate her." Ryan shuddered.

Realization hit him, and he murmured, "It's hard to say whether Florence messing with you is a good or bad thing."

Sammy glared at him, "You've meddled with me too. If you don't want to end up on the bad side, you better keep me here."

Ryan was inwardly fuming, another day outwitted by a kid.

"Boss, you can't just squat at my place playing sick forever. If your dad doesn't see you getting better, I'll be the one he comes after!"

"I'm not in the mood to deal with him," Sammy stubbornly retorted. "He's a deadbeat. Just ignore him."

scouring Emperor City for you. If he wasn't so worried about your safety, he'd have turned the city upside down by now! I can see he's treading lightly around you, filled with love and regret." Sammy stiffened for a moment, not blind to the tenderness in Ludwik's eyes. He bit his lip, "But I've got important things to handle. If I

plan and

him the truth about Florence, that it was a lost cause, but seeing Sammy so determined, Ryan felt guilty and held his tongue, "Suit yourself. Stay as long as you like. Don't you want to secretly check on your mom? Don't you miss her?" Sammy's eyes moistened. He did miss her, but he couldn't let all his

talkative? Weren't you going to teach me medicine? I'm

medical texts.

Sammy and

Ryan entered the study, a message from Florence

couldn't afford to

you dare betray me?" Florence's voice was

his excuses

off my daughter's finger! I know you're in a delicate condition staying with the Lipperts, you'll be safe Everything's going as expected. Even if Ludwik finds Sammy,

you. You're safe."

loyal to you. Have you tested him?

"Impossible. I've operated on him; he's become simple-minded. You won't believe it until you see him yourself,

a bit reassured.

"Uh... yes..."

to yourself. If I go down, do you think you won't end up in jail for illegal transplantation? I'll drag you

her call was a warning about

an eye on him for me!" "Sure, sure..." Ryan quickly agreed, playing

face still tense, not a bit

seemed harmless now, what if Ludwik

Whitney would know Sammy

threats would be