Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

All the other high society families just watched and laughed. They gossiped that Tina's mother was a mystery, that you were a womanizer, and that's why, for years, you couldn't settle down. The well-bred debutantes cared too much about your 'illegitimate' daughter, and the ones from less polished families were worried their daughters would mistreat Tina. And now look at you—you brought her back, and you're clearly smitten. Have you forgotten all the pain your parents and Tina went through all these years because of her?

"If she's really that kind of woman, I could never accept her!"

Mrs. Nelson blurted it all out in one breath, her voice tight and her eyes brimming with tears.

Sandy just stood there, stunned, her mind reeling. She had no idea Tina had grown up with so many whispers behind her back-or that Shane had put his own happiness on hold for years just to raise his daughter.

She glanced at Tina, guilt twisting in her chest. "Tina, I'm so sorry. I truly didn't know..."

"Mommy, it's okay. I don't blame you," Tina piped up, her voice gentle and sweet. She turned to her grandmother and said, "Grandma, my mom's not at all like what you think."

"She really isn't," Shane finally spoke, his gaze locked on his mother. "She never tried to chase after status or money. Mom, it was your son who let her down. Please, just hear me out.

"Four years ago, she and Florence were both studying abroad in England. I'd just taken over as CEO, and I was on a business trip to Europe. That's when I ran into Sandy Florence was bullying her, and Sandy was nearly expelled. Things got ugly... she was almost attacked by some guys on the street.

Mom, I'll admit, I used some tricks to force her to be with me..." Sandy looked up, shocked. That wasn't what he'd told her earlier that morning. Shane's jaw was set, his features sharp and handsome-the kind of guy who'd grown up with every privilege, the golden boy everyone envied. She remembered how she'd schemed against him,

unfamiliar, but so welcome. She looked up at

ສ.n

person who'd ever cared for her. Her father kept his head down, never noticing her struggles. Florence and Sienna bullied her whenever they

for the first

Sandy's thoughts swirled, her

a blur. Maybe

and sweetness

four

given her that

warmth.

this moment, she started to believe: maybe they really had