Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Shane said, "I already had the DNA sample sent out for testing this morning. Even if they were working at rocket speed, the results won't be back until tomorrow. But look, Tina's the spitting image of her."

He nodded toward his daughter, who was being held by the family's nanny.

Gary studied the girl with his usual icy stare. He had to admit... there was a resemblance.

But his words were cold as ever. "Plenty of people look alike. Without a paternity test, there's nothing more to discuss today."

Shane pressed on, not backing down. "And what if the test shows they really are mother and daughter? Would you let her into the family then?"

His blunt question left both of the elder Nelsons momentarily stunned.

Mrs. Nelson's expression shifted almost instantly, her lips tightening.

Sandy looked at Shane, caught off-guard. This wasn't why she'd come today, and

wasn't what they'd

forward, shaking her head and speaking honestly. "Mr. Nelson, I never planned to marry into your family. You can't make

of disappointment flickering in his sharp blue eyes, but he said, “This is something I have to negotiate with my parents, and sooner or later, it'll have to be discussed. I told you I'd give you

today," Sandy replied, calm and

out a quiet sigh before turning to Mrs. Nelson, who was eyeing them both with thinly veiled suspicion. "As you can see, we didn't plan this

they supposed to be on the same side?

moment, but she quickly recovered and gave a sharp, dismissive snort over her tea. "Maybe it's just a good cop, bad cop

stung, cold as a

remembered something Tina had said in the car-clearly, Mrs.

pressed her lips together,

sitting quietly nearby, gently caught

With a warm,

arm, calm smile, Whitney

birth mother? You may not know Sandy very well, but as I mentioned earlier, she reminds me a lot of myself. That's why I trust her. And I believe you learned a bit about

nodded. "Ms. Valentine is a good judge of