Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

As soon as Whitney spoke, Tina looked up and saw her face. She froze for a moment, then pouted in disappointment and started to cry. "You're not my mommy... Where's my mommy? I want her!"

Whitney narrowed her eyes and glanced over at Sammy, who had just walked over. "So, who's your mommy?" she asked.

"My mommy is my mommy! I just saw her a minute ago!" Tina replied, her little heart breaking.

Sammy came closer and explained, "I know who Tina means. She thinks Sandy is her mom!"

Whitney looked at her son as if she'd just figured it out, then turned her attention back to the little girl, genuinely curious. "Tina, sweetie, why do you think she's your mommy?"

Tina rubbed her eyes, scared they wouldn't believe her. "She just is! Listen... I always asked Daddy where my mommy was-why I didn't have one. Did she not want me anymore? Daddy never answered."

super smart, so I followed Daddy a couple times. He kept

to her and called her 'Mommy' and wouldn't let go. Daddy totally freaked out he even dragged me upstairs. Later, I asked him if that lady was my mom. He didn't answer, but that's basically saying

secret. Daddy won't admit it or tell anyone, so he must have his reasons. I don't know what they are, but I really, really want to meet my mommy. I've been trying to figure it out myself... Tonight, Sienna told me I could

keep me from talking to my mommy-she knocked me out!" Tina finished with a pout, rubbing her

finally pieced it all together. It was just as she suspected-Sienna had used Tina's longing for her mother to get inside Shane's apartment

turned to the doctor. "Could you check if she has any marks on

and she's talking clearly, so I don't think there's

gently and

down just to find

Sienna