Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

"Ms. Turner, is that really how you feel?" Gary's sharp gaze softened just a little.

Whitney frowned deeply, noticing the way Shane looked at Sandy-like he could crush her with a glance.

But Sandy, oblivious or simply stubborn, stood her ground. She cast a brief, startled look at furious Shane, then dropped her eyes and spoke softly, "Yes. I don't want to marry Mr. Nelson.

Finding out I'm Tina's mother so suddenly has thrown my whole world upside down. The memories I've lost make Mr. Nelson feel like a stranger to me. You can't force love-it doesn't work that way.

Mr. Nelson, I don't remember the past four years. You're asking if I still have feelings for you?

I'm sorry, but I just don't know anymore."

She'd answered him honestly-her heart was cold as ice.

Shane let out a bitter laugh, his jaw clenched as he stared at her pale, determined face. "You say you can't force love? So who is it you'd rather marry? Silas? Are you blind, Sandy? With that attitude, I doubt you're much of a mother to Tina either. If you don't want to marry me, then don't even bother coming to see your daughter!"

his angry outburst, her eyes wide in

tone. "Shane, that's not fair— these are two

daddy say her mommy couldn't visit anymore, burst into loud

finally snapped, exasperated by both Sandy's stubbornness and Shane's childishness. She grabbed Shane's arm, lowering her voice to scold him. "You're mad she won't marry you, but honestly,

making it worse. If you keep this up, you'll push her so far away she'll never come back-and then you'll

thinks I'm not good enough," Shane growled, his dark eyes

strong-arm me either. You practically tricked her into this. If you really love her, you need to give

a child together, and she's accepted that. What are you so afraid

words, blunt as they were, finally seemed to

stared at Sandy, his eyes

pale, disappointed face. Seeing her so hurt made his

was too proud to

he turned to look at his still-sobbing