Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

"Mom, I'm telling you, Sandy is the only one I'll ever marry," Shane said, his voice steady.

"Tina needs her real mom, not anyone else!" he insisted.

"And after those photos of me and Sandy went viral all over Manhattan, what would it look like if I just married someone else? You'd be the talk of the city for all the wrong reasons."

Mrs. Nelson was fuming, her cheeks flushed pink with anger. "So, you made this whole scandal just to force our hand, is that it?"

Gary tried to play peacemaker. "Let's just calm down, alright? Shane, you messed up. Apologize to your mother."

Shane folded his arms and shook his head. "Not until she agrees to this."

Sandy's brow furrowed, anxiety clear on her face. She wasn't naïve-Shane wasn't just cornering his parents; he was cornering her too.

And she had no intention of being pushed into marriage just because things got messy.

She tugged at Shane's sleeve, a silent plea for him to calm down. He turned, expecting a soft look, maybe even a smile.

Instead, Sandy pulled away, her voice cool and unwavering. "Shane, this is your decision, not mine. Stop trying to force me."

He had a sinking feeling

stood tall, chin lifted, and looked right at Mrs. Nelson. "You and Mr. Nelson accepting me as Tina's mom—that's enough. That's all I've ever

something I want, and I don't want

lion who'd just lost a fight,

least recognize how much he cared. Didn't she feel anything

really that

trace of love she ever felt for him?

Last night-didn't it mean anything to you? What am I to

caught her chin

his eyes.

if there was any love left in her at

the fire in her heart just moments ago.

there are all kinds of

was too forceful, never considering what she wanted, always trying

in the boardroom,

fingers curled into fists, her face frosty as she spoke. “Last night, did what I had to. I didn't have a choice, Shane I didn't call the police because

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